Thelma LaMay (Frerichs) Moorhous

Monday, September 21, 2015

Thelma LaMay (Frerichs) Moorhous

Dec. 20, 1933 - Sept. 20, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- Thelma LaMay (Frerichs) Moorhous passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska. She was 81 years old.

She was born on Dec. 20, 1933, at McCook, Nebraska, to parents, William Frerichs, Sr. and Mabel (Christiansen) Frerichs, the youngest of 17 siblings.

She was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in McCook. She was raised in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1952.

She married Don Allen Moorhous on Jan. 7, 1953, at Peace Lutheran Church in McCook. From this union seven children were born, Pam (Mike) Miller of Bayfield, Colorado, Mike (Darlene) Moorhous of Gillette, Wyoming, Pat Hagan of McCook, Donna (John) Sauvage of Selden, Kansas, Laurie (Jack) Orr of Ogallala, Nebraska, David Moorhous of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Mark (Sherry) Moorhous of Culbertson, Nebraska.

Don and Thelma raised their family in Culbertson. They lived south of Culbertson on the family homestead until 1989. They moved north of Culbertson and Thelma resided there until 2014, before moving to Hillcrest Nursing Home due to a long battle with cancer.

Thelma was a member of St. John's Lutheran church of Culbertson. She was a life-time member of the St. John's Lutheran Church Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Culbertson Ladies VFW 6219 Auxiliary where she held numerous leadership positions.

Thelma was a stay-at-home mother, babysat her grandchildren and was employed at the K-Store/Kuglers in Culbertson for 12 years as a cashier and cook.

Thelma's passion was her flower and vegetable gardens. She spent many hours canning fruits and vegetables. She liked to read and loved to watch Lifetime movies, the Grand Ole Opry and Husker games. She also loved going to the movie theater. She enjoyed time spent with her children and their families and attending her grandchildren's activities.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Don Moorhous; parents, William and Mabel Frerichs; parents-in-law, Faye and Minnie Moorhous; 14 siblings; and Cody Miller (infant grandson).

She is survived by her seven children; 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Doris Popp of Colby, Kansas, and Emma Nelson of Yuba City, California; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Frerichs of Grand Junction, Colorado, LeArdis Frerichs of Lexington, Nebraska, and Bethene Swartz Grand Junction, Colorado; and many nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be given in her name to St. John's Lutheran Church in Culbertson.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, 1 to 8 p.m. at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friends may go online at www.herrmannfh.com to extend condolences to the family.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Culbertson with Rev. Bradley Rick officiating. Burial will follow at the Culbertson Cemetery.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook, Nebraska, is in charge of the arrangements.