Thelma Bostrom

Thelma May (Larrison) Raymond-Bostrom, age 89, passed away at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush Colorado Saturday, February 22nd at 11:05 pm. Her daughter, Rose Deal and her family were with her during her passing.

Thelma was born July 10th 1930, in Persia, Iowa, to Samuel P. and Cora Larrison. Samuel P. owned the blacksmith shop in Persia. As a student Thelma is remembered as a star basketball player. Thelma married John Louis Raymond from Portsmouth, IA. They had 10 children together. She was preceded in death by seven of her children. Four of their children: Johnny, Jerry, Russel, Anna Marie, and their teenage babysitter Jeannie Kleffman, perished in a structure fire in Portsmouth in 1955. Their son, Samuel, passed during surgery at 18. Thelma lost her first born, Daniel, and her youngest, Shelly as adults. She is survived by Joseph Raymond, Randy & Julie Raymond, Rose (Raymond) and Kayla Deal, Robert and Teri Bostrom Jr., Becky (Bostrom) Petrick, Bradley Bostrom.

Thelma is also preceded in death by her parents, Samuel P. and Cora Larrison; brothers, Roy Rex Larrison, Floyd Larrison, and Earl "Tony" Dwaine Larrison; and husband, John L. Raymond.  She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Ruby (Larrison) and Merlin Martin; sister-in-law, Marion Rose Smith, and brother-in-law, Pat Byrnes.

Thelma later married Robert Bostrom and the pair were often found singing together in church and enjoyed square dancing and league bowling. Thelma lost Robert in 2014 after stroke complications.

Thelma was blessed with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by one grandchild, Bradley Cole Raymond, and two great grandchildren.

Even in the midst of so much tragedy, Thelma will be remembered for her quick wit, her love for family and friends, and the variety of ways that she served others. She had a beautiful natural singing voice and used it in praise of her God to her very last days. She lived life fully and while her body finally wore out, her spirit never did. She will be deeply missed.

Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth Iowa at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 25th.

There will also be a celebration of life service held in Brush, Colorado at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for funeral expenses.