Obituary: Spalding, Thelma Sophia (Severin)
Age 99
Thelma was born October 17, 1913 in Blackfoot, ID to Hubert and Margaret (Patz) Severin and was the first of three children.
She moved to Spokane as a young child and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School.
She met her future husband, Henry Dolph Spalding, at Natatorium Park and they were married in 1933.
In January, 1934 they opened Spalding Wrecking in a small shop on Sprague Ave.
They later located to the present site of Spalding Auto Parts in the Spokane valley.
Along with raising two children, Thelma worked in the business for many years doing the bookkeeping and working the counter selling parts.
Customers soon realized that she knew just as much as the men did regarding car parts.
During this time, she was very active in the local and state wrecker associations and served as secretary for many years.
Thelma loved to travel and socialize with her close friends and was well into her eighties when she flew to Alaska to fish with Max and Russ.
Many family get-togethers were enjoyed on Hayden Lake - the more the merrier!
The great-grandchildren of the family always knew that she kept both of her cookies jars filled for those little knocks on her door.
She is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Koontz; son Max (Ellen) Spalding; grandchildren Mark Koontz, Julie Clark, Kimberly Brott, Steven (Roxanne) Spalding, Daniel Spalding, Russell (Jody) Spalding, Michelle (Michael) Lunneborg; 13 great-grandchildren, one great—great-grandson and nieces and nephews.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Dolph, in 1982 and her two brothers, Virgil and Kenneth Severin.
Private family burial service will be at the Pines Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 11:30 A.M. at Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene located at Sullivan and 20th Ave. in the valley.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations sent, in Thelma’s name, to the HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake, WA 99016.
CHENEY FUNERAL CHAPEL, CHENEY, WA