Thelma Nordahl

Her children rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:28. Our dear Mom and grandmother, Thelma Nordahl, left us on June 27, 2011 which would have been her and Dads 74th wedding anniversary. This difficult time is made easier for us, her family, knowing that Mom and Dad are having a grand reunion in Heaven. Thelma was born 92 years ago on January 17, 1919, in Aneta, North Dakota, to Alfred and Gurine Kloster, Norwegian farmers who homesteaded in the Belmont area. She was the sixth of eight children, all of whom have preceded her in death. Life was not easy in Moms early years as her family, like many others of that time, were deeply affected by drought and the Depression. In spite of these hardships, she often shared fond memories of living in a close-knit, loving family. The strong Lutheran faith that her parents modeled for their family was a source of strength for Mom all of her life, even to her last days. The legacy of faith that she received from her parents continues on today through her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thelma attended grade school and high school in Belmont and Shawmut, Montana. In her senior year, her parents moved to Red Lodge where she graduated from high school in 1937. That summer, Thelmas sister Mabel introduced her to a handsome young man, Clif Nordahl, and the rest is history. Clif farmed on his parents homestead west of Molt, Montana, and Mom often spoke of their farm and the surrounding countryside as being “Gods Country.” She fell in love not only with the farmer, but also the farm. For 61 years, until Clifs death, they worked side by side and walked hand in hand. Thelma and Clif chose to wait to start a family fearing Clif might be sent to war. With that threat over, they began their family, welcoming first their daughter, Janet, and then another daughter Linda. Janet married Les Wilcox who was tragically killed in an auto accident in 1987. In 1993, she married Pat Mullaney, and they reside in Billings. Pat is retired from the Bureau of Land Management, and Janet teaches at MSU-Billings, College of Technology. Linda is married to John Erfle, an equine veterinarian, who has practiced in Kalispell since 1976. Linda also works in the practice. Thelma is survived by her daughter Janet and husband Pat and their daughters Joan (Tom) Schafer, Leslie and John; Julie (Josh) Dannenberg, Brady and Caden; John and Linda and their daughter Kim (Tim) Seidel, Liam and Landon; sons Tim (Stacie) Erfle and Joe Erfle. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Nellie Kloster and several nieces and nephews. Following Clifs passing, Thelma lived in her home in Billings until 2009 at which time she moved to Vista Assisted Living, a part of the St. Johns Lutheran Community. Due to declining health in the last two months of her life, Mom was moved to Heritage Place, a skilled nursing facility also at St. Johns. Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude for the loving compassionate care that the nurses and staff showed Mom during her time at St. Johns. You truly are angels doing Gods work. Memorials: If you desire, the family suggests that memorials be made to either St. Johns Lutheran Ministries or Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Cemetery: Burial will be at noon on Friday, July 1 in the Park City Cemetery. Service: Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on 24th Street West and Lewis Avenue followed by a time of fellowship.