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Photo of Thelma (Baumgartner) Sanford

Thelma (Baumgartner) Sanford

5/9/1926 - 3/22/2017


Obituary


Thelma (Baumgartner) Sanford, 90, of Clarion, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Clarion.

A Celebration of Life Service for Thelma Sanford will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the United Presbyterian Church, 219 1st Street Northwest in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. There will be no burial at this time.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Thelma Mae Sanford was born to Matilda (Gramentz) and Fred Baumgartner in Fort Dodge, Iowa on May 9, 1926. Thelma lived with her parents in Lu Verne, IA and attended school there. She played basketball in the Iowa State Girls Tournament in the 1940’s.

Thelma was married to Durwood Burtis from Lu Verne. They had two children, a daughter, Peg of Clarion, and a son, Scottie. Scottie passed away in infancy. Thelma was later married to Robert Sanford in Las Vegas. They lived in Lancaster, CA, Lake Havasu, AZ, Carson City, NV, Lu Verne, IA, Fairmont, MN, and Algona, IA.

Thelma was passionate about driving on all of her and Bob’s trips. She enjoyed fishing, walking, playing cards, watching basketball games, and volunteering at the Senior Center in Algona. She also enjoyed trips with a good friend to the casino, and she could make a killer raisin cream pie.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Peg Bunn and husband Ted of Clarion; Grandson Neal and his two daughters, Emma and Sophia of Des Moines; Granddaughter Pam Bunn Kruger and her friend Doug Resh, three daughters Taylor, attending UNI, McKenna and Katelyn of Clarion; Grandson Andy, his wife Rhonda and two boys Reese and Ryder of Des Moines; Her sister Georgianne Sanford and niece Connie Ristau and family.

Thelma was preceded in death by her mother and father, a brother Vic, her son Scottie and her husband Bob Sanford.