Obituaries : Thelma Margaret Horak

Thelma Margaret Horak was born July 4, 1935 and went to heaven on January 31, 2025. She married Merle Horak, April 7, 1956. He passed away February 4, 2020. She is the mother to three children, grandmother to eight grandchildren, great-grandmother to fourteen grandchildren and great-great grandmother to one grandbaby who is due in April.

She attended a one-room school house and graduated from Vinton High School.

Thelma lived a life of service to her family in a variety of ways. She supported her husband in all of his endeavors throughout their marriage. She cooked delicious meals, made handmade clothes, tended gardens and flowers, and watched over many pets. She cared for their home and provided a loving launching point for her family.

She was the best secret keeper and took pride in her ability to know something that no one else knew until the proper time. Thelma wrote funny poems and always laughed at a good story or memory. She and Merle moved to rural Vinton in 1978. This led her to be brave enough to get her drivers license at thirty-seven years old. She loved to meet friends for coffee to catch up on all the latest news.

Thelma was a good listener and always picked up on the favorites of each of the members in the family. She usually came to visit with a favorite treat or had something special waiting at her house as a gift. For many years she mailed birthday and holiday cards with dollar bills inside. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary and knew how old and how long for each of them. She shared plants, recipes and advice about them, with anyone who asked. If you enjoyed Groundhog Day or Christmas or had a favorite sport team or hobby you could rely on her festive support.

One of Thelma's greatest joys was being a grandmother. She made flannel blankets with impossibly straight hems, crocheted blankets, and read Little Golden books repeatedly. There were always chocolate candies in the jar on the counter. She hosted grandkid overnights in the summer and always made so many Christmas treats! She loved to have the whole family for holidays and visits which always ended with her waving from the big front window, as we drove down the road toward home.

Thelma's most endearing qualities are her generosity and loyalty to those she loved. We miss her and the love she shared with us for her lifetime.

The family will have a private celebration of life and burial. Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Thelma and her family.

Memorials may be direct to a charity of your choice in Thelma's name.