Thelma DeBilt

Berthold

Thelma DeBilt, 90, Berthold, died Sunday, April 14, 2024, in a Minot assisted living center.

Thelma Louise was born on December 1, 1933 to Albert and Ruth (Bakken) Larson on the family farm near Carpio, North Dakota. She was raised in Carpio Township of Ward County and attended Hartland School through the eighth grade. She graduated from Berthold High School in 1951.

Thelma was united in marriage to Bill DeBilt on June 27, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church in Berthold. While Bill was serving in the US Army, the couple lived in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Following his discharge, they returned to the Berthold area and farmed in Passport Township of Ward County. They raised small grains and cattle until 1990 when they retired from farming but continued to reside on the farm. Bill died on May 14, 2008. Thelma continued to make her home on the family farm. Most recently, she had resided at the Edgewood Vista Assisted Living Center in Minot.

Thelma was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold, where she was active in quilting and the church women’s groups where she could always be counted on to help wherever there was a need. As a Sunday School teacher, Thelma took her class out to the farm one Sunday and Bill took them all for airplane rides! Mom enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and sewing! She especially enjoyed flying with Bill to various parts of the country including Mexico and to Alaska several times! In past years she enjoyed bowling and golfing.

Thelma’s loving family includes her children: Laurie (Gary) Gathman, Susan (Roger) Finke, Michael (Cindy) DeBilt, Julie (Rod) Deaver, Jill (Jeff) Brown, Bruce (Netty) DeBilt all of Berthold, Linda (John) Rittberger of Fairburn, SD and Tim (Lavina) DeBilt of Quinhagak, Alaska; grandchildren: Brad (Marisa) Gathman, Bill (Bobbie) Gathman, Amy (Keith) Neshem, Kara (Josy) Peterson, ReNee Fink, Jared Rittberger, Melanie (Phil) Tumis, Dustin (Amy) Rittberger, Heather Neshem (Jason Bachmeier) Todd (Kelly) Finke, Summer (Travis) Engelhard, Annette (Matt) Nielsen, Eric (Emily) DeBilt, Dan (Tiffany) DeBilt, Chris (Alisha) DeBilt, Bonnie (Kyle) Schepp, Cheri (Ethan) Seifert, Ross (Jenna) Deaver, Marie Brown, Sara (CJ) Schorsch, Zane, Cameron and Matt DeBilt, 45 GREAT-Grandchildren and 2 GREAT-Great-Grandchildren, brother: Dennis (Sandra) Larson, Zumbrota, MN; brother-in-law, Garland Robinson of Burlington, WA; sister-in-law: Dorothy Roise, Garrison and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bill, and sister, Avis.

Celebration of the Life of Thelma DeBilt: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold. To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences, access www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Saturday, one and half hours prior to the start of the service in the church.

Interment: Wildrose Cemetery, Berthold

Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold, the Ambulance, Fire or Police Department Services of Berthold, Caring Edge Hospice or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

(Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot has been entrusted with arrangements.)

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 17, 2024.