Thelma M. Sloyer

PRINCETON -- Thelma Marian Sloyer was born Feb. 11, 1904, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Timothy P. and Florence (Brooks) Taylor. She lived her life in various towns in Iowa and Minnesota. Losing her hand at the age of nine didn't stop Thelma from doing whatever she wanted. She could diaper a baby or peel a potato as fast as anyone with two hands. Thelma loved to sing and dance and took pride in her children's abilities to play and sing. She was a member of the Kitchen Blenders band in Brainerd and was president of Ashland Apartments in Cambridge where she lived at one time. She loved having her picture taken and always had a beautiful smile on her face. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards and visiting with friends by phone or in person.

Thelma is survived by her children, William Turner and his wife Edith of Bethany, Okla., Arlene Doyle of Montana, Shirley Joab and her husband Robert of Temecula, Calif., Marion Tipton of Winterset, Iowa, Kay Swan of Houston, Patricia Olavson and her husband John of Houston, Beverly Bell and her husband Wayne of Dayton, Nev., Gary Turner and his wife Jensine of Princeton, Eugene Turner and special friend Joyce Lilleboe of Isanti, a daughter-in-law, Ione Turner of St. Francis, and stepson Jack Turner of Baltimore, Md. Also surviving are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and even some great-great-grandchildren.

Thelma is preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, William D. Helm; three husbands, Williams B. Turner, Verle D. Turner and Stearle (Jack) Sloyer; six brothers; six sisters; and one son, Francis "Frank" Turner.

Thelma died on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at the Princeton Elim Home at the age of 99 years.

Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at Williams-Hanson-Kaun Funeral Home in Princeton. The Rev. Stephen Cook will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd, Minn., on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held 8-10 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Casket bearers will be Shane Turner, Trever Turner, Dale Anderson, Tim Anderson, Nick Anderson, Mike Pangerl and Mike Lundell.