Obituary of Thelma Smeding

Thelma was born in Zeeland, Michigan, on October 3, 1912, to Samuel and Clara Woodstra. She died peacefully at her home in Dominican Oaks on April 14, 2012. She was 99 years old and was looking forward to meeting her Savior in heaven. She was preceded in death by her husband John in 2003 and her daughter Donna in 2007. She is survived by her son Stan (Dorothy) Smeding of Palm Desert, her daughter Jan (Lauren) Granlund of Aptos, and her brothers John Woodstra of Redlands and Howard (Gloria) Woodstra of Huntington Beach. She had 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchilden. When Thelma was seven, her family moved to Redlands, California. She married John Smeding in 1935. As a mother of three, she worked in and out of the home, but perhaps her greatest legacy was the loving happy home she created. In 1961 the family moved to San Jose where they lived until retiring to Ripon in 1976. Thelma spent the last six years at Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz. She quickly adapted to her new home and enjoyed making new friends, walks, drives to the beach, card games and especially sitting in the sunshine! She also enjoyed living close to her daughter and son-in-law and some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to get together with the family. Thelma had a strong faith which she showed by the way she lived. She evidenced her faith and commitment to God not by words, but through her actions. She will be greatly missed! A celebration of Thelma's life will be held on Saturday, April 21st, at 10:00 am in the Oaks Room at Dominican Oaks. Final Resting place at the Ripon Cemetery in Ripon, California Memorial contributions may be made to the Back to God Ministries International, 6555 West College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463