Thelma Fales

Thelma Fales took her final journey to her eternal home in Heaven while surrounded by the love and support of her husband and children she devoted her whole life to. She passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Clarkston at the age of 83, after living with Parkinson's disease, COPD and dementia for several years.

Thelma was born on Aug. 22, 1942, on the family farm in Keuterville, to Mary and Lawrence Uptmor. She enjoyed growing up on the farm with her two older sisters, Verla and Doris, and many cousins who lived nearby. Thelma attended a one-room schoolhouse on Maughmer Point Road for grade school and then attended middle school in Keuterville. She graduated from St. Gertrude's Academy in 1959 at the age of 16. She later attended business school in Lewiston.

Thelma's early career included work as a telephone operator and later transferring to the business office of the phone company. She worked as a part-time American Greetings merchandiser at Albertsons and Wasem's Pharmacy when her children were older.

In 1962, Thelma met the love of her life, John Fales, in Grangeville, on the Fourth of July. They married on March 4, 1967, in Clarkston and shared 58 wonderful years together, living mostly in Clarkston but also spending time in Orofino and Medford, Ore.

Being a loving mother and grandmother was Thelma's greatest joy. Together with John, Thelma raised their four children: Brent, Michelle, Brian and Melinda. She often said the best job in the world was being a mom. She was truly the heart of her home, creating cherished memories and adventures for her family with her kind and good-natured spirit. Her grandchildren remember times with her filled with childhood games, chocolate, warm hugs and lots of love.

Thelma was a passionate homemaker. She loved talking on the phone with her friends and sisters. She enjoyed baking, playing the piano and playing many types of games. She was an exceptional pinochle partner, a card game that she and John loved playing with their friends throughout the years. She volunteered with Interlink and her church. She also managed several rental properties and loved fixing them up for those that had less than her.

Later in life, Thelma loved spending time on the family farm. She loved hosting family gatherings there, and she organized many large family reunions. She cherished the time when all three Uptmor girls were together at the farm. Thelma loved horses and would borrow her cousin's horse so her children and grandchildren could experience the thrill of riding through the fields. Always thinking of others, she wanted everyone to appreciate the family farm as much as she did. She loved reminiscing about the "olden days" and sharing her own experiences of growing up on the farm.

Thelma will be most remembered for her extreme kindness and unwavering faith in God. She was a long-time member of Holy Family Catholic Church. She was gracious and kind to everyone and always believed the best in others. Thelma truly believed that with God, all things were possible, we need to put our worry in God's hands, and a good night's sleep was also helpful.

She is survived by her husband, John; her children: Brent and wife Tammy, of Snohomish, Wash.; Michelle Sodorff and husband Mark, of Spokane; Brian, of Lewiston; and Melinda Nieman and husband Paul, of Sandpoint. She is also survived by her two sisters: Verla Day, of Riggins, and Doris Clark, of Pineola, N.C. She is further survived by her 12 grandchildren.