Thelma J. Sachs

Longtime Oak Harbor resident Thelma J. Sachs passed away June 23, 2004. Thelma was born Aug. 23, 1929, in Edmore, N.D, the daughter of Otto and Della Johnson. She graduated from Edmore High School in 1947. She met and fell in love with Russell Sachs while he was visiting relatives in Edmore. They were married May 24, 1950, in Concordia Lutheran Church in Edmore and came to Oak Harbor where they lived the rest of their lives. Since March 2003 Thelma lived at Oak Harbor Retirement Community.

Russ worked for many years in supply at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and Thelma worked in an Oak Harbor bakery. They loved camping with family and friends and had many happy times traveling in their trailer, especially after retirement. They were talented in arts and crafts and created many treasures over the years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Russ in 1986, her parents Otto and Della and brother James.

Survivors include Thelma’s sister Carol Holmes and her husband Bob of San Jacinto, Calif.; brother Douglas Johnson and his wife Connie of Great Falls, Mont.; nephew Lance Johnson, his wife Sandy and family of Geyser, Mont.; nephew Bruce Johnson, his wife Nettie and family of Olathe, Kan., and she will be especially missed by nephew Rick Troyer and his wife Judy of Langley, their sons Garth Troyer and Gary Troyer of Marysville and their families and sister-in-law Rena Troyer of Everett.

Thelma was a very generous and special lady with a great sense of humor who will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Special thanks to the staff at Oak Harbor Retirement Community who provided excellent care for Thelma this past year, and to the staff of Skagit Hospice.

A graveside service will be Thursday, July 1, at 2 p.m., at Maple Leaf Cemetery, conducted by members of the Oak Leaf Rebekah Lodge No. 254. Memorials may be made to Skagit Hospice, P.O. Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, or to a Christmas Fund for Employees of Oak Harbor Retirement Community Memory Care, 1044 Kimball Dr., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.