Thelma Cahill

Thelma O. (Orstad) Cahill, 96, died Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Good Samaritan Village - Bethany in Brainerd, MN. Services for Thelma will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter with Deacon Roger Marks officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to services and stay for a luncheon immediately following services at the Brenny Funeral Chapel Reception Room. Private interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

Thelma was a loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She shared her sweet, loving, and caring spirit and fun personality with everyone. She was preceded in death by husband, Frank; parents, Ingvald and Alma Orstad; sisters, Myrtle, Ella and Gertrude; and brother, Art. She is survived by her son, Kenneth (Barbara), of Leighton, PA; daughter, Kathy (Clell) Olson, of Baxter; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thelma was born December 26, 1915, in Grindstone Lake area near Sandstone, MN. She was a generous long-time member of National Right to Life and MN Citizens Concerned for Life, a life-time member of Sons of Norway and was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. She loved to travel and did so extensively. She really did go para-sailing at age 75 while in Mexico. She was a self-made woman who was brave and determined. Widowed at age 28, she successfully raised two children alone. For 30 years, she worked for the government retiring in Washington, DC. As she aged, she found comfort in new friends at Bethany Care Center and enjoyed all the benefits and programs offered. She treasured visits from her family and we will always miss her sweet smile and gentle nature.