Thelma Woyda, 73, Wells

Published 9:16 am Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Thelma Woyda, 73, of Wells, died on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, at Parkview Care Center in Wells. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church in Kiester. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Rice Lake Cemetery. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Thelma Woyda

Thelma Woyda was born May 21, 1940, in Winnebago County, rural Emmons, the daughter of Pearl Herfendal Williams. Thelma was baptized at Emmons Lutheran Church and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a graduate of Kiester High School, the class of 1958. Thelma was united in marriage to Roger Woyda on Dec. 13, 1958, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Kiester. After their marriage, the couple lived on Roger’s home farm where they farmed for 35 years at Rice Lake. While living in the Rice Lake area, she was an active member of the Rice Lake United Methodist Church, where she was a trustee and on other committees. She was also an active member of the United Methodist Women where she was an officer and taught Sunday school for 15 years. She was a leader of the Foster Fire Flies, Girl Scouts and Brownies. She helped Roger farm and drove Winnebago homes. Later, she attended Albert Lea Technical College where she worked in the office. She retired in 2006, after working for Walmart in Albert Lea and Mankato for 16 years.

Thelma enjoyed fishing, camping, snowmobiling, water-skiing, watching the family ski and wakeboard, reading and Red Hats. She enjoyed decorating her home for the holidays and cooking and entertaining her family and friends for holidays and special occasions. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She loved her cats and having coffee with her friends and neighbors.

Thelma is survived by her children Rick Woyda of Cleveland, Brenda Wittmer of Wells, Paul (Kari) Woyda of New Prague and Brian (Pam) Woyda of Hammond, Wis.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Jim Schroeder, of Mansfield; along with nieces, nephews and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother; in-laws Clarence and Evelyn Schroeder; husband, Roger; infant daughter, Tammy Woyda; grandson, Joseph Wittmer; and sister-in-law, Maxine Gleason.