She was born March 13, 1920 in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Henry and Dena Bertelson Martin. She graduated from Midland High School, and spent several years ranching and breaking horses. Thelma jumped horses in shows throughout the country winning many competitions.
She was united in marriage to Curtis Seward Anderson in 1957. They spent many happy years with daughters Deanna and Faye, ranching in the Midland area.
During the 60’s they moved to a farm in northern Minnesota. There Thelma began writing for gardening magazines and was one of the first pioneers of organic gardening and environmental issues. As a leader of the local 4-H club she was a great role model for many young people, teaching them how to follow their dreams and believe in themselves.
When she and Curt and their daughters moved back to Midland, she worked as a bookkeeper and writer publishing various articles and short stories. Later, she published two very successful autobiographies about her life: Where Coyotes Howl and Gumbo Lilies, along with four early adolescent novels.
She enjoyed tutoring Cambodian refugees and donated many, many hours, not only to helping them with their English speaking abilities, but offering them the spirit of friendship as well. Thelma attended the Lutheran Church most of her life and believed in living the principles taught by Christ’s example.
In later years, she was very active in Senior Olympics bringing home gold and silver medals in sports as varied as basketball and horseshoes. Thelma always enjoyed the outdoors and any kind of competitive sport.
During the last four years of her life, Thelma spent time between Riverton, Utah where she lived with her daughter Faye Anderson and Faye’s husband, Doug Hasbrouck, and Reno, Nevada where she lived with her daughter, Deanna Peters. In Reno she also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren Kyle and December Peters.
Survivors include two daughters Faye Anderson of Riverton, Utah, and Deanna Peters of Reno, Nevada; two grandchildren Kyle and December Peters of Reno; one brother Albert "Fuzz"  Martin and his wife Bonnie of Faith; one sister Mickey Woitte and her husband Shorty of Midland; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Curt Anderson; her parents; two brothers Herb and Hank Martin; and one sister Juliana Sanford.
Visitation was held 2-5 p.m. on Friday, October 31, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating.
Interment will be in the Midland Cemetery.
A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, November 1, 2008 – 2:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Midland, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Frezil Westerlund

MUSIC
Scotti Block – Pianist
Vocalists
Jessica Root-Lennard Blucher
“Just As I Am”
“Amazing Grace”
“Whispering Hope”

USHERS
Jerry Englehaupt – E.J. Englehaupt

PALLBEARERS
Joe Woitte – Rex Woitte
Randy Martin – Rodney Martin
Billy Martin – Kelly Martin

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

Flowers

Your name  Address Please keep my entry private (visible to the family only) Entry Text

To Thelma's Family, I am sorry to learn of the death of Thelma. She is someone I have known my entire life. When I was a little girl, she would come to the Forest City, Iowa area and jump horses in local horse shows there. My mom and dad, Forest and LaVonne Olson, my grandmother Luella Anderson, and other relatives are mentioned in her books. Leona was the oldest, and I am the youngest of all the first cousins on the Anderson side of the family. Also, Thelma's Aunt Tina was married to my great Uncle Charley. We enjoyed a couple of trips to Midland,South Dakota when I was young, and when I graduated from college, I settled in Sioux Falls. After that, I got to Midland once in a while, and Thelma stayed with us in Sioux Falls while there for an authors' conference at the Center for Western Studies. We kept in touch at Christmas until she moved from Midland, and I no longer had an address. Deanna and Faye and others, you have my sympathy. Thelma was a strong, quiet, independent, gentle woman whom I greatly admired. I'm glad she left a legacy with her books. With sympathy, Jane Olson Leonhardt, husband Rob, & children Ross and Rachel Jane Olson Leonhardt Sioux Falls, South Dakota We want to express our sympathy and prayers during this time. I am so thankful that Thelma took the time to write the books she did on our family because it leaves us a great legacy to go to and learn about the early days of the Martin family. Thelma has always reminded me of my Dad so much not only in the way that they look alike but how they are quiet and reserved and very funny at the same time! Thelma lived a very exciting and rewarding life and I don't think she would have had it any other way. Our prayers are with you, Jon and Jennifer Jones and family Jon and Jennifer Jones Midland, Deanna, Kyle, December, Faye, Doug , I was very saddened to hear that Aunt Tim had passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you. It is never an easy thing to loose a parent. I know that she is reunited with her loved ones who have gone before. Aunt Tim was a very special person to me, godmother, friend, and aunt. I spent a lot of time with her and Leona as a young person I will never forget the horseback rides, leather work, and just plain great conversations. I am grateful to have had her in my life. She has left us all a legacy in her books as in the touching of our lives. I especially appreciated her encouragement when dealing with my own recent health issue. I will miss her greatly. Kandace Nelsen 241 N Meyer Lane Page 1 of 4