Thelma Nienhuis

Thelma Hofman Nienhuis, 88, longtime resident of Oak Harbor, passed away Dec. 30, 2010, at Providence Medical Center, Everett, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was born Nov. 29, 1922, in Southern Alberta, Canada. She married Bernard Nienhuis on March 30, 1948, and lived most of her life on Whidbey Island.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Anita (Jeff) Phillips, and two sons, Philip (Kathy) Nienhuis and Duane (Eva) Nienhuis; nine grandchildren, Tanja Charleton, Chuck Charleton, Rachael Clements, Ame Bart, Catie, Flint, Paige and Taylor Nienhuis, and six great-grandchildren, Jesse, Boyd and Hope Charleton and Lucy, Greyson and Cauldwel Clements.

Thelma is also survived by seven brothers and two sisters: Janette VanEgmond, Dick Hofman, Hilgonda Harbers, Gertie Stetar, Nellie Plump, Ralph Hofman, and Marg Salvucci. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, son, Alan, two brothers, John Hofman and Ernie Hofman and sisters, Riki Warmink and Johanna Jensen.

Thelma devoted her life to God and her family. She loved helping others and spent many years volunteering at Help House. Thelma was able to spend much of her time in the last few years tending to the flowers in her gardens. Thelma was a longtime member of First Reformed Church. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Memorial services for Thelma Nienhuis will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the First Reformed Church, Oak Harbor, with Pastor Jon Brown, officiating. Family graveside services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorial may be made to First Reformed Church Building Fund. Friends and family may sign the online guest book at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation.