Thelma V. Derkey, age 93 of Perham, MN died Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Perham Living.
Thelma was born on April 6, 1918, in Otto Township, rural Perham, the daughter of Henry and Katherine (Schippell) Leaderbrand. Thelma was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in New York Mills, MN. She graduated from Wadena, MN High School in 1936 and from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1938. She taught school at Corliss School District 225 for three years. Thelma was united in marriage to Ferdinand Derkey on June 12, 1941 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Corliss Twp. After Ferd's death, in 1972, Thelma worked as a bookkeeper for Bauck Chevrolet and later for Schmitz Ford, both in Perham.
Thelma was an active member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, both in Corliss and in Perham. She enjoyed reading, needlepoint, sewing, teaching, and helping others. She loved when people would remind her that she had been their Sunday School teacher. Another true highlight was sitting in the 3rd or 4th pew at St. Paul's on Sundays.
Surviving Thelma are her two sons, Robert of Spokane, WA and James (Marie) of Rice Lake, WI; her brother, Roger (Helen) Leaderbrand; seven grandchildren, Michael Derkey, Alan Derkey, Karl Derkey, Heather (Dan) Miller, Sarah Derkey, Adam (Megan Mahony) Derkey, and Joshua (Beth) Derkey; and three great-grandchildren, Zachary Miller, Brady Miller, and Jonathan James Derkey.
Preceding Thelma in death are her parents; her husband Ferdinand; brother, Arnold Leaderbrand; and sister, Dorothy Eckland.