Thelma Christina Horst

1918 - 2010

Thelma Christina Horst of Lodi passed away peacefully in her sleep at a local convalescent home on Wednesday, October 20 at the age of 91. Thelma was born in Burton, Nebr. on Dec. 12, 1918. She was the youngest of 6 children born to Nora and Frank Schoettger. Thelma is survived by her daughter, Connie Rice of Lodi, son Gene and wife Ramona Horst of Centralia, WA, grandson Peter and wife Sara Horst, and their daughters, Makena and Ava Mae Horst, also from Centralia and granddaughter Shantel and husband Ryan Hodson of Portland OR. She is also survived by her sister, Bernice Tuton of Mills, Nebr.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Peter Horst, sisters Ella Shepherd, Marie Ritterbush, and brothers Duane and August Schoettger.
Growing up, Thelma went to a small country school and helped out on the family farm. At a young age she learned how to bake, embroidery, crochet, and make intricate hand stitched and hand tied quilts. Even though she later suffered from hand tremors she was still able to thread a needle and turn out perfectly stitched, beautiful pieces of hand-crafted pillow cases, dish towels, afghans, and quilts. her intricate and detailed Briar Rose quilt and tatted table cloth awarded her blue ribbons at the Lodi Grape Festival.
Thelma lived on the family farm until she married her husband, Peter, in 1941. Shortly after getting married, Peter was drafted into the service and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. After Peter was discharged, he and Thelma went back to Burton, packed their few belongings and drove to California. They settled in Lodi where they built their home and raised their family.
Besides her quilting and embroidery pastimes, Thelma also enjoyed working in the garden and baking homemade German desserts. She was known as "Grandma Thelma" by the many children her daughter taught at St. Anne's School. She frequently made cookies, homemade donuts, and other treats to share with her daughter's students. Thelma was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lodi Aerie #848 and helped with the Lodi area Brown Bag services for many years. She also enjoyed playing bingo and sharing stories of the "good old days" with her friends at Loel Center.
Thelma will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Donahue Funeral Home in Lodi is assisting the family with arrangements. Visitation will be held Mon., Oct. 25 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Graveside burial will be at 10:00 on Tues., Oct. 26, at The Garden of Prayer section of Lodi Cherokee Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests any contributions be made in Thelma's memory to Asera Care Hospice, 2529 W. March Ln., Ste. 101, Stockton, CA 95207.