Thelma D. Gieseman

Thelma D. Gieseman, 89 of Bellevue, died Friday, September 11, 2009 at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue, surrounded by her family. Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 15 at St. John Lutheran Church, Bellevue officiated by Pastor Paul Gammelin. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Kingery~Lemke Funeral Home and again Tuesday after 9:30 at the church. Thelma was born on July 23, 1920 in rural Bellevue, daughter of Alfred and Esther (Schroeder) Michels. She married Kenneth E.Gieseman on September 10, 1940 in St. John Lutheran Church, he passed away on December 12, 2007 Thelma was a homemaker and enjoyed raising her family and helping her husband on the farm. Her faith and church were extremely important to her. Through the years she also worked at Ensign Coil, Younkers and the Fashion Shop. She was an excellent seamstress and made many of her daughters clothes. In Thelmas early years, she and Kenneth were avid dancers. She also enjoyed her flower garden, watching the Chicago Cubs, volunteering, and cooking. Most important to her was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving are her three daughters, Connie (Eldon) Merfeld, of Zwingle, Doris Greaves, of Clinton and Diane (Rich) Norpel, of Bellevue; grandchildren, Bryan (Kim) Gaylor, Kim (Jeff) Johnson, Scott Greaves and Troy (Sarah) Norpel; great grandchildren, Kayley, Brandon, Nathan, Kinsey, Caleb, Alexa, Aurora, and Jayce; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers, Wilfred and Royal Michels. The family would like to thank Mill Valley Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Jennifer and Dawn for their care and compassion shown to Thelma. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lemkefuneralhome.net.