Thelma Huizenga, 98, lifelong Minot area resident, died Friday, April 18, 2008, in a Minot hospital.

Thelma was born February 20, 1910, in Ward County, Eureka Township, at the farm home of Edwin K. Livingston and Frieda (Nelson) Livingston, the third of their nine children. She attended a one-room country school, then Minot High School, graduating in 1928. After receiving her teacher's certificate from what was then Minot Normal College she taught in a rural school.

She married Roy S. Nelson of Surrey, ND on April 15, 1933. They had four children. In keeping with the times, Thelma was first and foremost a wife, mother, and homemaker. These roles suited her perfectly. Being supportive of her husband and encouraging of her children's talents and interests was her satisfaction. She participated in church and PTA activities, shared her musical talents generously and enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening and entertaining. Roy was the bass in the Roosevelt PTA Quartet that sang at many local events. Thelma was the piano accompanist for the quartet as well as for many local vocalists through the years. Because of her love of close harmony and inspirational music, a tradition of monthly Song Fests sprang up among their like-minded friends and relatives where Thelma brought the basket of hymnbooks and played the piano. Roy died January 5, 1962.

She worked at Ellison's Department store and at Minot Federal Savings and Loan for a period of time. On March 1, l963, she married Fred Washek. They were happily married until his sudden death in January of 1968. Her large family of brothers and sisters, children, stepchildren, and grandchildren continued to bring her joy. Her faith remained strong, the Song Fests continued.

Thelma sang in the Sweet Adelines barbershop chorus and volunteered with the Trinity Auxiliary. She headed up the Minot Commission on Aging in its early days, and played the piano for the Senior Citizens' Orchestra which performed for many dances and other functions. Nick Huizenga played the violin. Nick and Thelma were married in 1973 and music filled her home more than ever. He died of cancer in 1979.

Thelma lived her entire life in the Minot area, the last 42 years in the house Fred Washek built. Her example of grace, dignity, style, kindness, her ability to see the humor in life, to hold fast to faith in times of sorrow or sickness, and to always expect and find good in others was an inspiration.

Survivors include her son: Richard Nelson of Chicago; daughters: Marlys Knowles of Baton Rouge and Judy (Gerald) Koland of Minot; stepsons: Mike and Joel Washek and Roger Huizenga; stepdaughter: Linda Adams; sister: Gladys Dixon; grandchildren: Scott Nelson, Lisa Knowles, Laura Bennett, Tom Knowles, Elizabeth Hurst, Pam Albright, Jonathon Knowles, Shannon Tweedy and Brad Hannesson; numerous great-grandchildren, step- grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her daughter: Connie Hunter; her son-in-law: Paul Knowles; brothers: Ernest, Norman, Raymond, and Alvin Livingston; sisters: Sybil Gjerde, Lorraine Livingston, and Ruth Blowers.

Funeral service: Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park
Visitation: Tuesday, April 22, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.