Thelma Ann Hoefler

Thelma Ann Hoefler, 84, of Shawnee, Kansas, was reunited with her husband, Vincent F. Hoefler, Sr. on Monday, June 1, 2009.

Thelma, the oldest of 14 children, was born at home (on the family farm) to Ed and Belle (Hillegas) Kellerman. After graduation from Westphalia High School she worked for Bell Telephone Company, and was also a nurse's aide. Thelma married Vincent on October 8, 1944. He preceded her in death, June 17, 2005. After being a farm girl all her life, she and Dad decided farming was not where they were to be. So in 1945, they moved from Westphalia, Kansas with their first child to Merriam, Kansas and became members of St. Joseph Parish. In March 1946, they purchased a 3 room home, with acreage, in Shawnee Township (now city of Shawnee) and have lived at that address since. When the family expanded to 6 children, they built a new home on that property and moved in July of 1957.

Thelma always found time to help with church socials, be a room mother and den mother for her children. She was a behind the scenes worker most of the time. During the 1950's, she would drive the Altar Society President on Sunday afternoons, to sell raffle tickets for the church Labor Day picnic. She always baked whenever needed for any function, whether it was for school or the Altar Society/Ladies Guild. She and Dad were strong supporters of a Catholic education for their children, all of whom graduated from St. Joseph Grade and St. Joseph/Aquinas High School. She took in ironings and did babysitting to help pay their tuition. After the 7th child was born, Thelma went to work as a scrub-tech in the labor/delivery room at Shawnee Mission Hospital. After 10 years of service, she became disabled with crippling Rheumatoid Arthritis and had to retire in 1977, leaving behind a passion of taking care of newborns.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 yrs, brothers, Carl & Lawrence Kellerman, sisters Eileen Canfield & infant Dorothy Kellerman, son-in laws, Bob Spruk & Joe Dechant, infant granddaughter Cheryl Ann Flakus. She is survived by 7 children: Mary Spruk, Shawnee; Alice Dechant, Springfield, Missouri; Charles Sr.(Lorraine) Hoefler, Shawnee; Vincent Jr. (Hazel) Hoefler, Mountain View, Missouri; Lyle (Janet) Hoefler, Bossier City, Louisiana; Raymond (Linda) Hoefler, Overland Park, Kansas; and Linda (Randy) Oneslager, Shawnee. 4 sisters, Joan Hess, Ina Belle Railsback, Jean Parker, and Edna Donavan. 5 brothers: Bill, Fred, George, Milo, and Donald Kellerman. 13 grandchildren, Donna (Rex) Covell, Pam Spruk, Rob Spruk, Charles, Jr (Wendy) Hoefler, Bill (Sheryl) Hoefler, Scott, Shawn & Ryan Hoefler, Brad (Lisa) Hoefler, Amy (Josh) Beasley, Michael (Hally Little) Hoefler, Angela (Jay) Lunsford, Brandy Hoefler & 1 step-granddaughter, Jamie Lane. 17 great-grandchildren, Elissa (Steven Muro) Beatty, Jake Beatty, Halen (Jessica) Covell, Aaron Covell, Jamie Spruk, Ashley Spruk-Miner, Morgan, Karly & Shelton Hoefler, Grace Hoefler, Quentin Hoefler, Peyton Hoefler, Abby Beasley, Alexis & Nathan Lunsford, Kylie Hoefler & 1 step-great grandson, Landon Little. 3 great-great-granddaughters, Rylee Kerr, Emilee Moyers and Lyla Covell. And 1 great-great grandchild due this fall. We know that Mother is now at peace & happy where she's always wanted to be, "With Dad".

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations, in her memory, to the St. Joseph Ladies Guild, (which she was a life-time member), c/o St. Joseph Church, 5901 Flint St. Shawnee, Kansas 66203, or to Catholic Hospice, 9740 W. 87th St., Overland Park, Kansas 66212.

Visitation and Funeral Mass

Family & friends may call from 6pm to 8pm, Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas. Rosary will be said at 6pm with visitation following. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 am on Friday, June 5, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, Kansas. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.