Thelma R. Naslund

ROLLINS - Thelma R. Naslund, 87, of Rollins, died at her home on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004.

Thelma was born in Havre Sept. 27, 1916. The daughter of Jack and Mabel Williams, she attended elementary and high school in Havre and Chinook. Soon after high school she married a country boy, Harvey Naslund. This was during the Great Depression. They managed to scrape up $5 for the minister, leaving very little to live on. The popular songs going around then included, "Two Can Live as Cheap as One," and "Now is the Time to Fall in Love."

In not too many years she became the mother of six boys, Harvey Jr., Jim, Robert, Larry, Alan and Curtis.

Much can be written about the hardships endured and struggles faced in making a home on alkali land and trying to provide clothes and good food on the table for the family.

During these early years, Thelma made many friends in the community she loved. She belonged to the Lohman Loyalties Women's Club and with her husband served as a sponsor of the 4-H Builders, a countywide program for older members of the many 4-H clubs in Blaine County.

In the 1950s, after the last son left home, the nest appeared empty, so Thelma decided to go to work in Chinook.

During the next 10 years or more she worked at various stores including the Tasty Freeze, The Bakery, the Model Hardware Store, a ladies' dress shop and then ran the Tasty Bite for about two years.

She finished her employment in Chinook working at the Sweet Retirement Home.In 1974, Thelma and Harvey sold their farm west of Chinook and bought a retirement home on the West shore of Flathead Lake at Rollins, where they have since resided. However, most winters were spent in Arizona.

Thelma was a member of the Good Sam Club and was very active in the Rollins Women's Club and the Presbyterian Church in Dayton. During her 30 years on Flathead Lake she made many friends and also leaves many close friends in the Havre and Chinook area.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, six sons, 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Aug. 17, in the First Presbyterian Church in Dayton. Cremation followed. Arrangements were under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson.