Thelma Louise (Tidd) Bedenbender, 85, Neosho Falls, passed away Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016.
She was born near Aliceville on June 2, 1930, and grew up on the family farm west of Neosho Falls. She graduated from Neosho Falls High School. On Nov. 28, 1949, she married William Neil Bedenbender. They lived and farmed in the Neosho Falls and Geneva areas. She was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star, manager of the Neosho Falls Senior Center until her retirement in June 2015, and a member of the Neosho Falls Methodist Church. She wrote local news articles about the Neosho Falls community for the Iola Register, Burlington and Yates Center newspapers.
Thelma enjoyed crocheting and taught many friends and family the craft. She enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her sons Jerry and Jeannie Bedenbender, Meridian, Idaho, Dave and Diane Bedenbender, Neosho Falls, and D.J. and Sheila Bedenbender, Neosho Falls; eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Neil Bedenbender, infant son, Duane Bedenbender, and her parents, Herbert and Goldie Tidd.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel, Iola. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Neosho Falls United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Geneva Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and may be left with the funeral home. To leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Thelma Bedenbender
