Thelma Alyda Terpstra, age 88, of Lynden was taken home to her Heavenly Father on Friday, May 14, 2010. Born Sept. 1, 1921 in Lynden, WA to John and Tena (Stap) Schutte, she attended Lynden Christian School through grade 8 and graduated from Lynden High School in 1939. Throughout her life, she worked at several different retail stores in Lynden. Thelma married Ray Terpstra June 5, 1942 in Lynden and together they operated a dairy farm on the Double Ditch Road for many years. After retirement in 1981, Thelma and Ray worked for Curt Maberry Farms at the U-Pick strawberry field and following Ray's death in 2001, she worked at the strawberry stand in Lynden. An active member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church for many years, Thelma was involved in Bible Study, "The Cookie Grandma" at Homework Helpers and a quilting ministry. Her hobbies included cooking, baking, sewing, reading, gardening and she was an avid Seattle Mariner fan.
Preceded in death by her husband, Ray; infant son, Charles; parents John and Tena Schutte; siblings Jake, Henrietta Erickson, Richard, Howard and Harold Schutte; brother-in-law Erwin Terpstra and sisters-in-law Bertha Vis and Ella Wissink; Thelma is survived by son, Les and wife Kris of Seymour, WI; daughter, Lorraine and husband Jim Bajema of Lynden; grandchildren Ryan (Tara) Bajema, Justin (Sarah) Bajema, Tyler (Danielle) Bajema; Karolyn (Brian) Long and Katherine Terpstra; great-grandchildren Madelyn and Josie Bajema; numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.
Visitation hours are scheduled Tuesday, May 18, 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted Wed., May 19, 3:15 pm at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 4:00 pm memorial funeral service at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 1105 Liberty St., Lynden. Memorial donations in Thelma's name are suggested to: Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., or Bethel Quilting Ministry, 1105 Liberty St. both of Lynden, WA 98264.
