Thelma Earnestine Van Orsdol

Thelma Earnestine Van Orsdol,
Services: Thelma Earnestine Van Orsdol, 92, of Gainesville died Monday, April 18. Graveside services and burial are in the Van Orsdol Cemetery near Bristow, Oklahoma, April 21,2011 at 4:00 p.m., with Pastor Michael Rasmussen officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville. A viewing is scheduled April 20, 2011 from 7:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m..at the funeral home. A memorial service will take place May 1 at Hope Community Fellowship church in The Colony with Pastor Arnold Clauson officiating.
Pallbearers are Edward Bollinger, Jason Bollinger, Blake Bullard, Steven Dennis, Dan Graham, Jonathan Graham, Kenneth Graham, Alan Guss, Bradley Guss, Britton Guss, Bill Hinshaw, John Lookingbill, Robert Lookingbill and Kyle Muzny.
History: Thelma Van Orsdol was born Thelma Earnestine Putz November 19, 1918, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to Leo Ernest William and Etta Gerldine Putz. She married Clifford Frederick "Ted" Van Orsdol July 25, 1935, in Stroud, Oklahoma. She attended the Hope Community Fellowship church in The Colony, Texas.
Thelma Van Orsdol was born at the end of World War I. Her father was a WWI veteran. She was born before women had the right to vote. Her great grandmother told her stories of the Civil War. She remembers 17 U.S. presidents, from Woodrow Wilson to Barack Obama. She lived through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm and various wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her life spanned almost half of this country's history.
In her later years she collected hats and seldom left home without a beautiful hat on her head. On her 90th birthday, all the members of her church, including the pastor, wore hats in her honor.
Thelma loved her daughters and doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a devoted Christian who taught her children to love God and his Word. In an age when being of another race could be dangerous in this country, she taught her daughters to respect others for their strength of character, no matter their race. They were taught to love God and to love others. What greater gifts could a mother give!
Survivors: Thelma Van Orsdol is survived by brother and sister-in-law Arthur and Sue Putz of Tyler, Texas; daughter Sheila and son-in-law Ed Graham of Lake Kiowa, Texas; granddaughter Tina Dennis of Anna, Texas, granddaughters and sons-in-law, Shara and Alan Guss of Highland Village, Texas, Judith and Edward Bollinger of Carter, Oklahoma, Eileen and Bill Hinshaw of Lake Kiowa; grandsons and daughters-in-law Steven and Connie Dennis of Frisco, Texas, Robert and Gina Lookingbill of Mangum, Oklahoma, John and Sherry Lookingbill of Altus, Oklahoma; step-granddaughter Liana Scott of The Colony, step-granddaughter and son-in-law Debra and David Hoffert of Cheyenne, Wyoming; step-grandsons Daniel Graham of Glendale, California, Kenneth Graham of Aurora, Colorado, Jonathan Graham of Van Nuys, California, and many great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Judith Cleon Van Orsdol, a son, Max, and a grandson, David Duane Dennis.
Donations may be made to Home Hospice of Cooke County.You may sign the on-line registry at geojcarroll.com