Formerly of Elgin
1929-2009
Thelma Carleen Schmittle, 79, of Pendleton and formerly of Elgin, died Feb. 2 at her home.
A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.
Thelma was born Nov. 22, 1929, to Charles and Nora (Hensley) Hanson in Wallowa. When she was young she worked in the farm fields and later worked for a sawmill. She was also a bartender, waitress and cook for a restaurant owned by extended family. On June 29, 1949, she married Edwin Schmittle in Weiser, Idaho. He preceded her in death in 1984.
Thelma was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 39. She loved to garden – vegetables and especially, flowers. She enjoyed cooking, reading, crocheting and knitting slippers for all family members and could fix just about anything broken. She loved animals, especially dogs.
Survivors include her longtime companion, Roger Owen of Elgin; children, Christie Teel of Stanfield, Edwin Schmittle of Elgin and Jonie Thomas of Hermiston; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Charles Schmittle; grandsons, Jason and Justin Teel; and great-granddaughter, Kiah Schmittle.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association-Oregon, 380 SE Spokane St., Suite 110, Portland 97202 or the American Heart Association-Oregon, 1425 NE Irving St., Suite 100, Portland 97232.
The Observer – Obituaries for the day of February 5, 2009