She graduated from Howard City High School as part of the class of 1945. After school, Thelma went to work in the insurance industry, and spent 30 years working as the secretary for Hawkeye insurance and a few years at Lake States Insurance before her retirement.
Thelma was a life-long member of Hope Lutheran Church. She enjoyed weekly bowling held at Comet Lanes, and you would frequently hear her humming the tunes of her favorite crooner, Frank Sinatra.
As a life-long Detroit Tigers fan, Thelma never missed a chance to cheer on her favorite team. She was a history buff. She loved old western and war movies, reading historical romances and traveling to our country’s national monuments and places like Gettysburg.
Thelma is survived by her children Marcia (Fred) Rutledge, Darlene (Judy Malsch) Frasier, Janice Frasier and Chris (Michael Porter) Frasier; her grandchildren Sheila Hanacek, Adam Frasier, Stacy Haley, Amy Rutledge, Abigail Rutledge, Scott Benedict; and many great and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Ethel Pontius; step-father Harold Pontius; grandson Bryan Tavolacci; and grandson-in-law Mark Hanacek.
Visitation for Thelma will be held on Wednesday May 11, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Thursday May 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 100 Packard Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 49503, where family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park.
Special thank you to the staff at Grand Village who took care of Thelma.
Memorial donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church.
