Thelma Maxine Yamada

Thelma Maxine Yamada (nee Proudfit) was born in Fairview, Kansas, on March 3, 1932 at home to Cecil and Nora Proudfit. She traveled with the Angels on July 15, 2024, to join Henry, her husband of 50 years. She was 92 years young. Thelma was predeceased by her parents Cecil and Nora Proudfit.

Her husband, Henry Yamada.Her siblings:Dale Proudfit, Charles Proudfit, Ruth Grelck, Hazel Proudfit and Lela Proudfit Thelmas is survived by her siblings Lois Bloomquist, Opal Lematta, Delbert Proundfit

Cecil proudfit Jr. her niece, Portia (Kris) Igarashi and many friends and neighbors.

Thelma moved to Washington when she was 7 years old. She was one of 10 children. She graduated from Battle Ground High School in Battle Ground, Washington, and then attended beauty school. A vivid memory from her niece paints a picture of Thelma's vibrant personality: “A few years before Thelma married Henry, I remember seeing her with her sister drive up our driveway in her red T-bird convertible with scarves flying and her red hair bright in the summer sun. This was a sight that was unexpected as we had not met her before. We lived at the end of Aguilar Road on a 40-acre farm. In the early 1960s, it was unusual for my relatives of my parents’ generation to marry a non-Japanese. Thelma was a bombshell addition to our family. My parents did not know what to think of her with her red hair, feistiness, and openly selling bras, but they accepted her wholeheartedly into our family, even encouraging them to move to Rocklin. A few years later, in 1962, Uncle Henry and Auntie Thelma moved into their house on Arrowhead Drive which my father had built. Auntie Thelma was always neatly coiffed and dressed. I admired her concern for her appearance. She really enjoyed eating Japanese/Asian food.”

Thelma was the matriarch of our neighborhood and kept us all in line for over 50 years. She and Henry would walk the neighborhood, stopping at all the houses to have the best conversations.

Thelma loved to travel, especially to Reno, where she won more than lost. She also visited the Philippines. During her travels, she collected all things beautiful: tea cups, fine china, Longaberger baskets, crystal, porcelain dolls, and more. She was a stylish and beautiful lady who enjoyed socializing and was a well-versed conversationalist. Thelma loved to craft, build, and furnish wooden Victorian dollhouses, creating beautiful miniatures. She enjoyed baking for friends and was active in her bowling league, where she served as the treasurer.

A hard worker, Thelma sold specialty bras for many years and worked in the meat department at Safeway. She commuted daily to Florin in her red 1957 T-bird, which she drove for almost 60 years despite its lack of AC or power steering.

Thelma was a strong woman who carried a youthful spirit into her later years. She described herself as a feisty redhead with grit, independence, and a sharp mind. She was respected for her strength, both mentally and physically. One time, when offered help, she flexed her bicep to show she could handle whatever needed doing.

Thelma appreciated her friends and neighbors, enjoying their parties and time together. Whenever she was in the hospital, she expressed her desire to go home and have her neighbors take care of her. She was especially motivated to get better if there was a party coming up, so we had many parties! We did our best to help her live independently into her nineties. She loved and spoiled her dogs magnificently.

A celebration of life graveside service will be held on August 9, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, 8201 Greenback Ln, Fair Oaks, CA. Visitation will precede the service from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Placerspca.org/support/donate

200 Tahoe Ave.

Roseville, CA 95678.

Or

Hospice Vitas Community Cares fund: https://vitascommunityconnection.org/

Sacramento Valley area.

Thelma’s beauty was that she played like a young lady no matter her age. She is very missed.

To watch her service please click here: https://evt.live/thelma-yamada