Elma V. Thinglum

Elma V. Thinglum, 102, of Escanaba, passed away Thursday morning, July 8, 2021 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. She was born Jan. 24, 1919 in Ensign, daughter of Hugo and Sofia (Hendrickson) Lundquist.

Elma was raised and attended school in Ensign through the eighth grade. The former Elma Lundquist married Edmund (Ed) Thinglum July 10, 1943 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba and he preceded her in death Feb. 23, 2002. Elma had various jobs during her lifetime, including 13 years with Abbot Labs. Elma was very artistic and enjoyed painting, crocheting and embroidery. She made dozens of gorgeous Christmas stockings for relatives, and those stockings were treasured. Elma and Ed lived and worked in Waukegan, Ill. for 28 years before retirement. Afterward, they split their time between homes in Escanaba and Brownsville, Texas, for 20 years.

Elma had many blessings through her long life, including her quick wit and sharp mind until the very end. She would always take the loving repartee from her many nieces and nephews quickly give it back with a loving and succinct barb. The wry smile and a twinkle in those beautiful blue eyes were a bonus. Working puzzles daily, right up until the end, and playing cards, especially pinochle and cribbage, were favorite pastimes.

Elma is survived by nieces and nephews, Jolaine Anderson, Deanna Nelson, Sharon Roshak, Ralph Lundquist, Harold Thinglum, Gary Thinglum, Linda Hayes, Carol Nygaard, Pam Kercheval, Patricia Rudden, Bob Lundquist, Judy Lynch, Fran Papineau, and many great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Elma was preceded in death by her brothers, Hugo, Richard, Harold, Gunnar, and Stanley Lundquist; sisters, Tillie Rudenberg, Esther Kess and Ingrid Anderson; nephews, Francis Rudenberg and Dean Anderson; nieces, Linda Delvaux and Marcella Stevens.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Elma will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Mike Markwell officiating. Interment will be in the Gardens of Rest Mausoleum in Wells. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bonifas Fine Arts Center, and Delta County Animal Shelter. 

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