Thelma Jarboe Obituary
October 10, 1924 – February 9, 1921 96 years of age
I was born October 10, 1924, in Montgomery County, Iowa, just south of Elliott, to Edwin and Pearl (Norton) McClusky. My parents had moved to Griswold, Iowa, where I started school and graduated in 1942. After my junior year Gerald and I quietly slipped off to Maryville, Missouri, and I married “the true love of my life”.
What a wonderful and thrilling life we had together for nearly 67 years.
We lived in Elliott, Iowa, until World War II. I even enjoyed the “army life”! We spent 18 months at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Then on to Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas. While there our son Jerry was born in Little Rock in 1944. Next came Fort Sill, Oklahoma, followed by Camp Bowie in Brownwood, Texas.
After the war we returned to Elliott. On our 11th wedding anniversary our son Dennis was born in 1952. Five years later, in 1957, we all welcomed a precious baby girl, Marlene.
In 1962 we moved to Englewood, Colorado. Later I worked as an executive secretary in the International Division of the Gates Rubber Company. While working for Gates I also wrote a monthly column for the company newsletter, receiving the trophy for reporter of the year the first year. Having been one of the four women to “break the men only” barrier for Toastmasters, I received many awards for my humorous speeches. Gerald and I took early retirement in 1982 and moved to Henderson, Nevada, living near our extended family, Marilyn and Roger Taylor and children. Life was enjoyed and lived to the fullest for 18 years there. While there we never spent a hot summer in Nevada. Traveling by Winnebago motor home, we left in the spring and returned in October or November. We were in every state, including 3 weeks in Canada and Alaska.
During the winter months we worked as security guards on a swing shift for the shows and large conventions at hotels and convention centers in Las Vegas – complete with uniforms and sheriff badges.
Growing older, and finally admitting it, we moved to Buffalo Springs Lake near Lubbock, Texas, just a few houses from Marlene, Rick, and boys. What a blessing it was to share and be a part of their lives on a daily basis. The grandsons, Casey, Kelly and Scottie acknowledged and shared with us every aspect of their lives. So few people have that honor!
Among my favorite things were cooking for family and friends, crocheting afghans, sewing, reading, word puzzles, traveling, cards and other table games.
Those left to remember and talk about me with love and laughter are our son Dennis and wife Rosemary, granddaughter Angela and husband George Hubert, great grandson George W. and great granddaughter Annabelle, grandson Christopher Jarboe and wife Bryana, all living in Colorado. They have been very dear to our hearts even though sharing in their lives had to be via long distance most of the time. All the visits back and forth were wonderful and meant so much to us. Also, the weekly phone calls from Dennis. Also surviving is our daughter Marlene and husband Rick Hildebrandt, grandson Casey and wife Samye, great grandsons Kaleb, Jace, Holt and great granddaughter Jolie of Buffalo Springs Lake, Texas. Grandson Kelly Hildebrandt and wife Chelsea, great grandsons Wyatt and Dawson also of Buffalo Springs Lake. Grandson Scottie Hildebrandt and wife Tabitha of Ransom Canyon, Texas. Preceding me in death was my husband Gerald and son Jerry.
A service of committal will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021, at 11:00 AM, at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold. Interment will be at Pleasant Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Buffalo Springs Community Church, 7777 High Meadows Road, Lubbock, Texas 79404
