Thelma Leone Schmellen

Thelma Leone Peterson was born on April 25th, 1912, in Waverly Township, Martin County, MN, to Hans and Hannah (Nelson) Peterson. Thelma was baptized and confirmed at Waverly Lutheran Church, rural Trimont, MN. She attended school in Truman and graduated from Truman High School in 1930. Thelma married Cletus Schmellen in Truman, MN, on August 18th, 1934. Thelma was a homemaker. They lived in St. James, Mankato, St. Paul and Seattle, WA. Cletus died in 1994. Thelma entered the Lutheran Retirement Home in Truman in 1999. Thelma and Cletus were members of Wally Byam Airstream Club. They enjoyed traveling with their airstream camper. Thelma enjoyed spending time with family and friends and playing cards. Thelma is survived by one daughter, Sandra Bruyn, Orting, WA; one grandson, Michael Bruyn, Seattle, WA; one great granddaughter, Breanna; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Eleanor Lubitz, Truman, Carol Schwanz and her husband Junior, rural Truman, and Faye Draper and her husband George, Fairmont; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Arlo Peterson and his wife Ellen, Port Charlotte, FL, Lowell Peterson and his wife Geri, Truman, MN, Merle Peterson and his wife Phyllis, North Branch, MN and Doyle Peterson and his wife Arlene, Truman, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son-in-law, Bill Bruyn; one sister, Ardis and two brothers, Clair and Lester.