Thelma Marie Lofquist
October 14, 1932 ~ January 16, 2012
Thelma Lofquist, of Montrose, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2012. She courageously battled an incurable lung disease since July 2011. Thelma was born in Dolores, Colorado to Herman and Clara (Garbareno) Kuhlman. She was the youngest of three children. She grew up on a cattle ranch in Dolores and helped her father and mother care for the animals, cook and bake, and ice skate on the Dolores River. She drove a school bus during her high school years. She attended Colorado State University for one year prior to marrying W.H. “Gus” Lofquist in 1950. Together, they lived in Texas and other parts of Colorado. Thelma and her children moved to the Spring Creek Mesa area of Montrose in the early 1970’s. Thelma worked at the former Jim’s Shoe Lounge in Montrose. She volunteered at Oak Grove Elementary in the kindergarten classroom. She thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent helping young children and others.
Thelma’s greatest joys in life were her family. She is survived by her children Christine Lofquist (Ted Dwyer) of Flagstaff, AZ; Russell Lofquist (Kelli) of Highlands Ranch, CO; Shawna Cottingham of Grand Junction, CO; Terri Petranovich (Chad) of Montrose, CO; and Peggy Whaley (Dave) of Ames, Iowa. Her grandchildren include Logan and Megan Dwyer (Flagstaff, AZ), Tyler and Erica Lofquist (Highlands Ranch, CO), and Alexis and Ashlee Petranovich (Montrose, CO). She is also survived by her sister, Ina Cline, and her brother, Gordan (Jeanna) Kuhlman, all of Dolores, CO, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Among Thelma’s greatest talents was her ability to bake the most wonderful bread and rolls and cherry and chocolate pies. She often gave these as gifts to her family and friends. Nothing was as sweet as a warm piece of Thelma’s bread with homemade jelly.
She will be remembered for her devotion to and love of her children and grandchildren and the sincere kindness and happiness she shared with everyone who was fortunate to meet and know her. Thelma was a wonderful mother and friend.
A celebration of Thelma’s life will be on Saturday, January 21 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the home of Terri and Chad Petranovich (2870 Cimarron Street, Montrose). Family and friends are asked to stop by and share favorite memories with the family. Light refreshments will be provided. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Thelma’s name to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Co. 81402. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.
