Thelma Irene Achenbach

Thelma Irene Achenbach entered into rest on March 5, 2013, thirteen (13) days from her 96th birthday. Born 18 March 1917 in Franklin, PA, Thelma was the middle child of parents Elmer Graham and Edna Baker. She had two sisters, Phyllis Ewing and Lucille Dahle: no brothers. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1935. Married Gordon Leslie Kashner in PA on 19 September 1942 and had two (2) girls – Bonita Mae Kashner & Deborah Lynn Kashner and one (1) son – Ronald Earl Kashner. Moved to Colorado in 1960. Thelma married Wayne Charles Achenbach in Denver on 12 June 1970. Wayne had three (3) girls – Donna Lee, Jonnie Carla, and Marcia Jay (Thelma's step children). Remained married for 42 years. She was a member of the following clubs: Daughters of the American Revolution Military Officers Wives Club – very active member Aurora Women's Club Woman's Circle of Messiah Lutheran Church – very active member Colorado Chapter of Celiac-SPRUE Association Aspen Leaves Chapter of the Good Sams Club – very active member Thelma was employed for five (5) years at the Aurora Public Library. She spent fifteen (15) years as a Foster Parent, both in Buffalo, New York and Denver, Colorado – Adams County Welfare Department. Thelma specialized in care of small babies and helped as many as fifty nine (59) children. Thelma's interests included the color purple (her favorite color to the extreme), knitting (a true expert/master), Dolly Parton, poodle dogs, tacos, Dominos and Board Games (Thelma used these as tools to build very close relationships and was very successful at it), Denver Broncos football, fishing, and hosting big family gatherings were she cooked everything. For ten (10) years, Thelma volunteered her time as a Christmas gift Wrapper in the Buckingham shopping Mall in Aurora, where she donated her wages to International Dogs for the Deaf and to Meals on Wheels. Featured in the National Good Sams magazine as a 90 year old member that was ""Going Strong"" in 2008. Thelma also enjoyed world travel with her husband Wayne which included trips to: Australia, Bali, Europe, Fiji, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Panama, Tahiti, Thailand and Singapore. Five (5) children alive – one (stepdaughter) deceased Six (6) grandchildren Nine (9) great grandchildren Two (2) great great grandchildren Thelma will be buried at Fort Logan Cemetery. Memorial Service Monday, March 11, 2013, 11:30 a.m. at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2255 S. Oneida St. Denver, Colorado 80224.