Thelma Lou Dopp 71, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2010 at the Oneida County Nursing Home.
She was born February 8, 1953 in Lewiston, Utah to Farel Max and Violet Martin Dopp. Thelma was the oldest of three daughters born to this family. She lived in Lewiston and Ogden, Utah until the age of five. Then she, her mom and sisters moved to Samaria where she attended school.
In 1951, her family moved to Malad and because of her disability, she was no longer able to attend school. Yet, her two sisters took her everywhere they went.
Thelma loved children and helped tend her sister’s children while she worked.
In the early 80s she had an opportunity to go to Pocatello in a work program for a company called SWIFT where she learned to do many different things. She loved it there and in 1984, she had the opportunity to attend the Special Olympics every year around the State. Over the years she brought home 28 medals. She loved bowling and to dance.
In 2006, Thelma was nominated for the Good Deeds Done Daily, for putting out her neighbors’ garbage cans and then bringing them back in. A month later she lost her very best friend, her Mother Violet. They spent countless hours and miles driving around the Malad Valley. She loved going to the Malad Drive In for her fries and a milk shake.
In 2008, she became ill and needed to be in a rehabilitation center, so she moved to Ogden, Utah to a place called Wide Horizon. There she worked for Enable Industries until she returned back to her hometown where she could be close to her family. She resided at the Oneida County Nursing Home.
She was a member of the Malad Third Ward where she enjoyed passing out programs and seeing all her friends.
Every Saturday for years she visited the residents at the Nursing home and very seldom missed going to someone’s viewing that had passed on, even if she didn’t know them. She loved to collect the programs. She loved singing and even joined in with her sister and nieces singing Karaoke on a bowling trip.
She loved people, always wanting a hug and telling them, “I’ll be praying for you.” Thelma struggled most of her life, but had a sweet spirit that was full of life. Rest in peace, Thelma, we love you.
Thelma is survived by her sister Carolyn (Keith) Atkinson; her brother Randy (Dee) Lewis; ten nieces and nephews: Doyle, Troy and Rex Williams, Karen Hansen, Brenda Ward, Violet Ann Briggs, Jennifer Edwards, Jamie Lapp, Melinda Petersen and David Dopp; many great-nieces and nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother Violet Lewis, father Max Dopp, step-father Daniel Lewis and her sister Beth Goldstein.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 12:00 noon in the Horsley Funeral Home. A viewing will be held from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Samaria Cemetery.