Thelma Algelena Reynolds

Thelma Algelena Reynolds

of Holloway, MN passed away peacefully with family by her side on April 15, 2017 at Martin Luther Care Center in Bloomington, MN. Thelma was born December 2, 1920 to Julius Reich and Anna (Hoernemann) Reich. She was baptized January 9, 1920 at St. John’s Lutheran, Holloway, MN. She was confirmed in 1935 at Immanuel Lutheran, Holloway. She graduated from Holloway High School in 1938 and graduated from Montevideo Normal School in 1939. She also attended St. Cloud College. Thelma taught in Rural Schools in the Holloway area until her marriage to Donald M. Reynolds in 1942. To this union, two daughters were born. Preceded in death by husband, Donald in 1946; parents, Julius and Anna; sisters, Myra, in infancy, Delpha Brehm, Marie Zinda, Marlys Schlieman, and Ardis Reich; brothers, Arnold, Warren and Allen Reich. Survived by daughters, Karen (Richard) Squier and Donna (Joel) Winkelman; grandchildren, Kristin (Adam) Berg, Jason Squier, Michael (Michelle) Winkelman; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Kasey Berg, Colten, Avery and Talia Squier, Connor and Carter Winkelman; brother-in-law, Donald Schlieman; sisters-in-law, Lois Reich, Loni Reynolds and Mary Nelson; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews. Thelma started teaching Sunday School at Immanuel Lutheran in 1939 and taught until 1994. She took off four years from 1946-1950. Besides teaching Sunday School she served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Starting in 1956 she put together the children’s Christmas Eve program. She would actually type out the program on manual typewriter. She was extremely proud of the Christmas Programs as she loved kids. One week the Appleton Press named Thelma as “Hometown Neighbor”. She spoke about teaching at the time of the Armistice Day Blizzard and having to dig out the stove from under a snowbank inside of the school house. She was involved with planning the Halloween party for the children at the Community Center in Holloway in place of “Trick or Treats” for over 20 years. Thelma said “I guess you could say children are my hobby.” Also in Thelma’s own words, “I wasn’t put on this earth to entertain myself. I’m here to help others.” Besides teaching Sunday School, she was a substitute teacher in Holloway Public School. If one of her daughters were in her class, she would only respond to “Mrs. Reynolds”!! Thelma also taught Release Time Religion during the week and 7th grade confirmation classes, as well as leading adult bible study for many years. Thelma was the Clerk of the Holloway School Board for 10 years and Holloway City Clerk for 11 years. In 1966 a Holloway Development Coop was organized, Thelma served as secretary for several years. After the Holloway Public School closed, Thelma helped organize the Holloway All School Reunions, held every five years starting in 1965. She worked on the committee for every reunion through 2005, when she had to step down due to health reasons. She was also a 4-H leader when her daughters belonged to the 4-H Club. She belonged to the Immanuel Women’s Guild and held offices as President, Secretary and Treasurer at different times over the years. Thelma was appointed Holloway Post Master in 1964. She served as Secretary-Treasurer of the 5th District of MN Postmasters for 20 years. She was Recording Sec. for NAPUS-MN Chapter for 11 years and National Historian-Postmaster-Retired for NAPUS. Thelma retired in 1987 after serving 23 years as a Postmaster. She never missed a State or National Postmaster Convention. She was proud to say she had been to almost every state. She attended many Minnesota Congressional Visits in Washington, D.C. as a Postmaster delegate. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Martin Luther Care Center and all those from Hospice for their excellent care of our Mom in her last years. We greatly appreciate everything that was done for her.

Visitation starting after 10 AM Wednesday at the church. Interment Thursday, 12 noon at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Holloway, MN

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 11:00 AM

Lord of Life Lutheran Church 7401 County Road 101 Maple Grove, MN 55311

Visitation starting after 10 AM Wednesday at the church. Interment Thursday, 12 noon at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Holloway, MN