Thelma Ruth Schaefer

Thelma Ruth Schaefer (Birkholz) entered this life on January 20, 1933 born to Pastor Edward and Hertha Birkholz in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. She was the youngest of six children. She became a member of God's family through baptism shortly thereafter, and was confirmed after 8th grade. Thelma attended Martin Luther High School and Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. After 1 year of college, she received an emergency call to teach at St. James Lutheran School in Golden, Colorado. It is there that she first made the acquaintance of her husband Milan (Mike). After completing her emergency call she returned to school for another year. She then received a call to teach in Tomah, WI. She kept in touch with Mike who had enlisted in the Air Force. Their relationship was rekindled when she received and accepted a call to teach again in Golden. On July 5, 1959, Thelma and Mike were married. God blessed their marriage in many ways including the gift of two children, Michael and Susan. Thelma and Mike took seriously the responsibility of bringing their children to the Lord in baptism and then nurturing the faith begun in them by Christian education in the home, church, and school. Thelma and Mike became members at Christ Our Redeemer in Aurora. There Thelma used her teaching gifts to assist the kindergarten teacher for several years. She served in the ladies group at church as well. One of her favorite things to do at church was singing in choir that she was a member of for many years. Besides teaching, Thelma worked in retail at Hallmark and as a file clerk for Transamerica. She also took great delight in her many friends and her grandchildren. During her last years, Thelma was stricken with Alzheimer disease. She and Mike were able to continue their lives together at the Atria Inn Memory Care Unit and Almost Like Home- a group facility for dementia care in Arvada, CO. On February 12, 2015, the LORD called Thelma home to Himself in heaven. Her cremated remains will be kept at Ft. Logan National Cemetery to await the LORD's return on Judgment Day when her soul and glorified body will be rejoined to live forever. Thelma was preceded in death by her father and mother, siblings Dorothea Juul (Holger), Howard Birkholz (Ruth), Naomi Engelhardt (Henry), and Gerhard Birkholz (Gerane) and brother-in-law Tony Puestow. She is survived by her husband Milan, sister Gwendolyn Puestow (Tony), children Michael Schaefer (Wendy) and Susan Pieper (Jim), and grandchildren Jessica Conner (Brent), Nicholas Schaefer (Allison), and Chelsea Schaefer. Memorials in Thelma's name may be directed to the Building Fund of Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School, 2300 W. 90th Ave, Federal Heights, CO 80260.