Thelma Mendel: 1931-2022
Thelma Hofer was born in rural Bridgewater, S.D. on June 29, 1931 and passed away May 28, 2022 in Peoria, Ariz., at the age of 90.
Thelma was privileged to grow up in a Christ-centered home, where parents had daily family devotions. During a community DVBS series in a country school, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and upon confession of her faith, was baptized and became a member of Hutterthal Mennonite Church and later Salem MB Church where she was involved in various church ministries.
She attended Freeman Academy and graduated from Grace College of the Bible in 1952. Dennis and Thelma were married on June 6, 1952 and moved to Waukegan, Ill., for two years while Dennis worked at a veterans hospital doing 1W Service. In 1955, they returned to Den Dor Haven, their ranch west of Freeman, S.D., where they farmed until 1986 (31 years) at which time they moved to Glendale, Ariz. Thelma worked for Glencroft, a Christian retirement community and completed 25 years’ service retiring in 2014.
Thelma and Dennis met many new friends over the years at both Grace Bible Church (Sun City) and Copper Hills Church (Peoria) and traveled to many US and international destinations finding opportunities to share their faith.
Surviving Thelma are children: Lynn Mendel and Denise (Jim) Lockwood of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Kent (Teri) Mendel of Enid, Okla., plus grandchildren Andrea (Jason) Edwards and Travis (Daley) Mendel and great-grandchildren: Elijah, Ezra, Elissa and Faith of Parker, Colo., and Charlie and Cash Mendel of Edmond, Okla. Step-grandchildren include Jeff Lockwood of Phoenix, Ariz., and Colby and Claire Stephens and step-granddaughter, Sorena, of Oregon City, Ore., and sister-in-law, Alvina Hofer, and many other family members.
III John 1:4: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Preceding her in death is her husband Dennis, parents Peter J.S. and Adina Hofer, still-born sister Ann, and brother Gordon Hofer.
A celebration of life is planned at Salem MB Church, Bridgewater, S.D., on July 24 at 3 p.m.
