Thelma May King passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on June 7th, 2023. She made it to an amazing one hundred and four years old and, according to one of her granddaughters, was working on one hundred and ten! Born on December 7th,1918, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Mansfield and Bertha Matthew, Thelma had four siblings, Leon, Wilbur, Shirley, and Bruce. She had many fond memories with her family, especially dancing, and singing while doing the dishes with her sister. In 1937, Thelma met Alvin King at a carnival. She was hosting the balloon booth and cake walk and he was her "best customer!" The two were married, and at first they lived in Sonora where Alvin taught agriculture.

In 1950, they bought a farm in Glenn County where they raised crops and heifers. In the early years, Thelma drove tractors, irrigated, and helped with the farm, then turned to raising a family. They had three daughters, Claudia, Sherril, and Patricia, one son, Bruce, and nine grandchildren. All the grandchildren spent time at the farm over the years, and some of the best birthday campouts happened there with Thelma's assistance! She also enjoyed the company of many dogs, cats, and horses during her life. She loved sharing ice-cream with her last dog, Tracy, and even threw a birthday party for her, much to the delight of the grandchildren.

Thelma designed their second home on the farm in 1965 where she lived the rest of her life. (Alvin passed away in 1987.) She loved to sew, garden, play tennis, discuss politics and religion, watch baseball (Milwaukee Brewers), ride her bicycle, and travel. Highlights were New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii with Al, Arizona with Shirley and Burton, Japan, Ireland, and Costa Rica with Claudia, and Christmas with the Kings in Oregon. Thelma also loved to cook. She could whip up a feast for a large number of people at the drop of a hat, and her Christmas turkey basted by her throughout the night was always a winner.

She liked participating in High Neighbor Club, pinochle, playing solitaire on her computer, and listening to Irish music. In recent times, Thelma enjoyed the company of her caregiver and invaluable companion, Nettie, going with her for car rides and stopping for ice-cream on the way home. Thelma's most recent accomplishment was being honored as Centennial Grand Marshall in the Glenn County Fair Parade last month where she traveled the parade route in Orland Fire Department's antique fire engine.
Thelma is survived by brother Bruce (Juanita), sister Shirley, son Bruce (Jane), nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Orland, on June 16th at 11 am, with light refreshments to follow at the farm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Thelma's name to the Jesus Center in Chico or to a favorite charity.

Arrangements are held under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary.