Thelma Mae Lewis

Thelma Lewis, 93, died Friday August 2, 2013 in Hartford, Connecticut, surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Thelma was born on May 26, 1920 in Four Mile Township, Iowa to Joe and Laura Marshall Halterman, the second of five children. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers and sister. She is survived by daughters Judy Lewis and her husband Stuart Sakovich of West Hartford, CT and Jackie Duncan and her husband Bill of Ankeny, IA; two granddaughters, Sara Ross and husband Chad, and Stephanie Duncan; and five great-grandchildren all of Ankeny.

Thelma lived in Polk City, graduating from Polk City High in 1937. She worked in Granger for Dr. Smith, saving the money to go to beauty school, receiving her license in 1939. During the war, she worked at the ammunition plant in Ankeny and then moved to Bellingham, Washington after she married. Thelma worked at the Boeing Branch Plant in Bellingham. She was a member of the machinists union and was a “rosie the riveter” working on B-17 bomb bay doors. She was married for 22 years and lived on the Southside of Des Moines for over 60 years. She worked at American Republic for almost 25 years and retired in 1981. Thelma moved to Connecticut in June 2012.

Thelma was a second mom, aunt and good friend to many generations. She loved to cook and travel. She was a wonderful mother. Thelma was resourceful, resilient and generous. In spite of significant disabilities in her later life, she lived independently in her own home until she was 92. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2013 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines followed by a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. at Polk City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, P.O. Box 1922, Midlothian, VA 23113.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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