Thelma Sullestad

September 9, 1915 - June 16, 2016

Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Service: Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 20 in the Canton Lutheran Church Chapel.

Sullestad0001        Thelma Sullestad of Canton passed away on June 16, 2016 at the Canton Good Samaritan Society at the age of 100.  Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 20 in the Canton Lutheran Church Chapel.  Visitation, with family present, will be Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Thelma G. Kauffman was born on September 9, 1915 in Scobey, MT to Irvin and Josephine (Keever) Kauffman.  At an early age her family moved to South Dakota where she spent her lifetime.

Thelma graduated from Canton High School in 1934 and attended Sioux Falls College where she earned her elementary teaching degree.  She taught for five years until her marriage to Clarence (Bob) Sullestad in 1941.  They made their home on a farm a few miles north of Canton until retirement.  In 1981 they purchased a home in Canton and lived there until 1999 when they moved to Sioux Falls.  Thelma recently returned to Canton.

Thelma was involved in vocal music groups and played piano and cello.  She was a member of Canton Lutheran Church and was an active participant until moving to Sioux Falls.  She was a member of Grieg Chorus Auxiliary and Extension Club.  She and her husband enjoyed traveling and spending time in warmer climates in the winter.

Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, Jean Kramme of Rolla, MO and Linda (Stephen) Bertrand of Davenport, FL; two grandchildren, Kimberly (Jeffry) Whited of Overland Park, KS and Kristen Filkins of Holt’s Summit, MO; four great-grandchildren, Brittany Filkins, Emily (Andrew) Kost, Evan Whited, and Curran Whited; one great-great-granddaughter, Emma Kost;  two sisters, Florence Schaal of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and Lois (Donald) Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Arlene Jones of Redondo Beach, CA; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence in 2003; parents; sister, Marie Nannestad; and numerous in-laws.

Memorials can be directed to Canton Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association.

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  1. Dean Albertsen on June 17, 2016 said:

    Sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family.

  2. AseraCare Hospice on June 22, 2016 said:

    During this time of loss, we at AseraCare Hospice, would like to extend our condolences to you and your family. The nurses and staff at AseraCare thank you for the privilege of being able to serve you during these difficult times. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
    – The AseraCare Hospice Team