Mrs. Thelma Filarski, age 82, of Hospers, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2009, at the Sanford U. S. D. Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

There will be a funeral service on Friday, April 17, at 10:30am, at the First Presbyterian Church, P. C. A., in Hospers. The Rev. Dr. Brian Janssen and the Rev. Dr. C. Orville Kool will officiate. Interment will be at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation will be after 3:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers.

Thelma Theresa was born on March 26, 1927, in Alton, the daughter of Gerrit and Julia (Ketel) Roghair. She was raised in Alton, where she graduated from high school.

On October 28, 1949, she married James Paul Filarski at the Alton Reformed Church. She was a homemaker and for many years a cook in the Floyd Valley High School in Alton. They were currently living in Hospers.

Mrs. Filarski attended the Hospers Presbyterian Church. She loved the Lord and enjoyed singing hymns.

She was a devoted wife and mother and had many friends, with whom she liked to play Scrabble and various other games.

Survivors include her husband of more than 59 years, Jim; her son and his wife, James and Julie Filarski, and a grandson, Mikhail, all of Walnut, California; a granddaughter, Eve Shanklin, and a grandson, Seth Hanson, both of Omaha, Nebraska; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joan Roghair and Geraldine (Kenneth) Mouw, all of Alton; two sisters-in-law, Sophia Roghair and Esther Pearcy; and many nephews and nieces.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Hanson; two brothers, Judson and John Roghair; four sisters, Viola Doggett, Theresa Erkes (her twin), Delores Roghair (in infancy), and Colleen Jones; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Thelma will be missed by all who loved her. They rejoice in the fact that she is with her Lord.

Memorials may be directed to the broadcast ministry of Pastor Salem, at the First Baptist Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota.