Obituary: Gunderson, Henrietta “Thelma”
Age 93
He was gracious in only taking her strength for a short time in comparison to the 93 years she spent healthy on this earth.
Thelma was the youngest of eight children born to Nicholas and Sadie Decker and was preceded in death by sisters: Jeanine Scott, Rena Florence, Sadie Caroll, and Johanna Webster; and brothers: Tom Decker, John Decker (died at age 11), and Calvin Decker.
She looked forward to joining them in heaven along with all of the pet companions she spoiled throughout her years.
Thelma graduated from Bellingham High School and attended Business College for a year and was proud to be an employee of Seattle First National Bank for over 20 years in Bellingham, Washington.
After the family moved to Spokane in 1964, she worked in the Registrar’s office at Whitworth College where she retired after 24 years in the year 1988.
Needing supplementary income she ran an Adult Family Home until the age of 81, welcoming each resident as family.
For many years she rented the downstairs of her home to countless Whitworth College students and took in many boarders, often from other world cultures and traditions.
The rooms were never empty as she had the spirit of kindness that went from one student to the next spanning over 30 some years.
She also enjoyed being an active grandma to her five grandchildren being an after school grandma until each was old enough to go home on their own.
Those grandkids have countless memories of their time spent with Gma who always had a fascinating life story to tell and political views to instill.
Thelma left behind her beloved (and quite spoiled) dog, Micah, who will now join the family of her daughter and caregiver Anne Simmons and her husband, Sam.
Anne was blessed to be able to take a tour of Holland with her mom in 2002, the year of the Floriade Celebration that is held only every 10 years.
Thelma was proud to be 100% Dutch and the overseas trip was a dream come true for both mom and daughter.
Her other family, daughters Sandra Duffy and Linda Millhorn and son, Mark Gunderson were able to visit her just a few weeks before she became gravely ill. She was very thankful for that time with them and in the last days realized that was an answer to prayer.
So many dear friends passed before her and that was so difficult for mom in the recent years.
Because of her sweet and endearing nature she was deemed the “Hi Neighbor” representative at her retirement home and was responsible to be the welcome party for new residents.
She had many, many dear friends at Fairwood Retirement Village and will always be remembered as the “lady walking her dog”.
No matter what the weather or her physical abilities she always made sure that her loves were taken care of.
Thelma’s favorite verses were the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-10.
Blessed was she.
At her request there will be no formal service.
There will, however, be a small gathering of her many Fairwood friends at the Fairwood Assisted Living Facility in their event center.
Saturday, June 6th at one o’clock in the afternoon.
Ice cream and cookies will be served just as mom would have loved to share once again with her loved ones.
In lieu of flowers Thelma asked that any remembrance be donated to Union Gospel Mission for the benefit of the new Crisis Shelter for Women and Children.
To view Thelma’s online memorial, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.