Obituary of Thelma Liles

View Video Tribute Thelma Lucille Liles was born October 5, 1921 to parents Beatrice and Jacob Forest Moyer in the small Kansas town of Seward. She was the youngest in the family, with big brother, Aubrey, and sister Evelyn to look up to. At an early age, her family moved from Seward to Pratt, Kansas. Thelma’s mother, Beatrice, died from tuberculosis when Thelma was just three years old. Her father, J.F., raised his three children by himself until they were teenagers. The family moved to Dodge City, where Thelma received her early education in the Dodge City public schools. She then attended two years at the Dodge City Community College. It was during her college days at Kansas State that she met Lt. Forrest D. Liles Jr, an Arizona lad stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. It was everlasting love from the beginning and marriage plans were in the making, but Lt. Liles was sent overseas to be involved in the African and Italian campaigns of WWII. So wedding plans were delayed-maybe for a few months-but it was nearly three years before Lt. Liles could return. In 1944, Thelma graduated from Kansas State University at Manhattan, Kansas, with a B.S. in Home Economics, Dietetics and Institutional Management. While Bud was overseas, Thelma worked as a dietitian at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft cafeterias in Kansas City, Missouri where, after eight months, became head dietitian for this institutional foods service, feeding over one thousand workers each shift. Soon after the close of WWII, Bud and Thelma were married on October 6, 1945, in Dodge City, Kansas, the beginning of a very happy life together. In 1946, they moved to San Francisco, California, where Bud was employed by the Veterans Administration and Thelma worked as dietitian at St. Joseph’s Hospital. They were delighted to welcome their firstborn, Linda Irene, on July 5, 1947. In 1949, Bud and Thelma moved to Arriba, Colorado, where they became involved in farming and ranching. Patricia Elaine arrived on October 31, 1951. Daughter, Stephanie, was born in July 1956, but only lived a few hours. The family welcomed Richard Forrest in 1960…this addition really kept the family busy! Thelma spent twenty years as a fulltime homemaker and loved every moment working with their children and caring for her family and home. Thelma taught one year as a Kindergarten teacher in Arriba. In 1967, Thelma accomplished two years of graduate work at Colorado State University and became certified both, as a Home Economics and Vocational Home Economics instructor. Thelma taught Home Economics for eighteen years in Arriba, one year in Genoa and three years in the Arriba Flagler Consolidated School District. She loved working with students from the early years thru high school. Her favorite comment about teaching was, “I’ve never had a student that I didn’t love.” In addition to teaching in the public schools, she donated many years as a Brownie Scout Leader, and thirty years as a 4-H leader. She served as FHA advisor for fifteen years and was awarded a plaque in 1987 as outstanding FHA advisor in Colorado. Thelma belonged to The Colorado and American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, was a certified Home Economist by the American Home Economics Association and a Life Member of the Kansas State Alumni Association. Thelma was a member of the 1st Congregational Church of Arriba, where she was in charge of Women’s Fellowship for years. She used her cooking talents to prepare Lion’s Club dinners and coordinated many church activities. She loved her church family and especially enjoyed when everyone gathered for singing…especially Christmas carols. Thelma had many interests. She loved to sew and took on many projects that others would never attempt. She never doubted her ability to design, restyle or repair any item that came her way. Another venture Thelma enjoyed was remodeling houses…she used her talent and creativity to update many older homes in the Arriba community. She loved trips to Las Vegas with friends and participated in several slot machines tournaments. When she wasn’t able to travel as much, Blackhawk became her favorite travel spot. Thelma’s greatest love was of her husband, Bud and her family and home. She felt that caring for her family was her greatest and most important career. She loved being a grandmother and having great grandchildren was a delight! They all called her “GG” and she loved her new nickname. Thelma was always interested in her grandchildren’s activities and often gave advice when she felt it was needed. She loved watching them succeed and was always very encouraging. Thelma looked forward to going to the Senior Center for lunch twice a week…she loved visiting with the group and especially enjoyed playing Bingo. Through a variety of illnesses, Thelma always strived to regain her strength. Throughout her life, she always counted her many blessings and looked forward to what the next day would bring. Thelma passed away on June 19th at Lincoln Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, F.D. Liles and three of her children. Thelma’s family mourns the loss of this special lady, but feels very blessed to have known her. A memorial service for Thelma Lucille Liles was held 1:00 P.M. Friday July 10, 2009 at the Arriba Congregational Church in Arriba, CO. Memorial contributions may be left to the Arriba Congregational Women’s Fellowship 220 Curtis Street Arriba, CO 80804.