Thelma Wicks

Thelma (Petersen) Wicks, age 91, of Lake Norden, formerly of the Clark/Crocker area, the widow of Austin Wicks, died peacefully on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Private family services will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020, with Minister Marion Grimes officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Lutheran Cemetery near Bradley at 2PM, extended family are welcome to attend the graveside services.   Masks are required. Casketbearers will be Joe Wicks, Chad and Robert Orris and Elizabeth Elliott.

Thelma Olivia (Petersen) Wicks was born, along with a twin sister, Alma, on August 23, 1929, to Lawrence and Lena (Jensen) Petersen on a farm near Butler, SD, where she grew up and attended the rural school there.

Thelma was baptized and confirmed at the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol, SD, where they belong and attended. Thelma attended the Butler High School and graduated in 1947 from the last class, before the school was closed.

On July 4, 1948, she was married to Austin T Wicks of Clark, SD. They were married at a rural church near Amboy, MN, by her brother Reverend Lester L Petersen, who was serving a parish there. They lived and farmed their entire life in Woodland township just a ½ mile from Austin's folk's place. They milked cows many years, besides raising sheep and other cattle.

Thelma was always an outdoor person. You usually could find her out helping her husband, either on the tractor or helping with the livestock. She was also known for her beautiful cross stitching and even had one of her pictures receive National recognition.

Austin passed away on May 19, 1998, shortly before their 50 ^th wedding anniversary.

After their marriage, they joined the Crocker Lutheran Church, which they attended regularly. She was on the Church Council, was Sunday school teacher many years, and also held different positions in the Ladies Organizations. She was also a 4-H leader when her children belonged to that.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a sister, Rose (John) Christensen, and three brothers, Clarence (Phyllis), Reverend Lester (Beverly), and Raymond Petersen. Sister-in-law Doris Petersen and Son-in-law Paul Orris.

Thelma is survived by two sons, Steve (Luveta) Wicks of Clark, Ted (Marjorie) Wicks of Gillette, WY; a daughter, Sandra Orris of Clark; a special nephew, Larry Bannick of Springfield, OH; four grandchildren, Joe Wicks, Elizabeth (Earl) Elliott and Chad (Jen) Orris and Robert Austin Orris & fiance' Baylee; a twin sister, Alma Paulson, brother Ordeen Petersen, 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are complete with the Furness Funeral Home where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com