Thelma R. Atkins

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services on Wednesday.

Thelma R. Atkins, age 100 of Wabasso, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Golden Living Center in Wabasso. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services on Wednesday. Interment is in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Seaforth. Email condolences may be sent via www.redwoodvalleyfuneralhome.com. The Redwood Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Thelma R. Goche was born November 27, 1907 at Seaforth, Redwood County, MN to Martin and Louise (Wartner) Goche. Thelma grew up on the family farm and attended grade school in the Seaforth area. She graduated from Springfield High School. Thelma began college in 1926 and taught for one year at a country grade school. On July 5, 1929 she was united in marriage to William Atkins, and together they farmed near Walnut Grove and later in Seaforth, MN. Thelma returned to college in 1958 and taught grade school in Evan, St. Anne’s in Wabasso, and St. Mary’s in Tracy while taking night and summer courses. William passed away in 1965, and Thelma then moved to Morgan in 1966. Her last teaching job was at St. Michael’s in Morgan from 1967-1973. Thelma re-enrolled at Mankato State College and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1972 at the age of 65. Thelma was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved her family, and enjoyed teaching and traveling.

Thelma is survived by her children: Rosemary (Donald) MacHolda of rural Redwood Falls, Donald (Marylin) of Ingleside, TX, Richard (Carol) of Wabasso, Clarence of Spicer, and Norman (Carolyn) of Bloomington; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother Lawrence Goche; sister Elnora Kuelbs; sister-in-law Marcella Goche; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband William; son Ronald; daughter-in-law Maryann Atkins; sister Sylvia Menke; and brothers Dennis and Walt Goche.