It's been 92 ¾ years since the beautiful Camas Meadows of Kilgore welcomed the fourth child of Olaf and Mary Leown Harris Frederiksen on August 23, 1930. Thelma Leown Frederiksen was delivered by her Grandma Harris. And joined her siblings Emma, Clarence and Glen. Her childhood was idyllic; spending time in creeks and meadows with friends and family, fishing, skiing, sledding, dressing up, playing house working in her dad's general store, teasing and sassing the customers.

Thelma graced the halls of Kilgore, Lewisville and St. Anthony schools. She graduated high school in 1948. She made lots of friends with her cheerfulness, keen sense of humor and quick wit.

In the summer of '49 she was outside and noticed a young man standing up in his buggy racing his horses and cutting circles in the meadow behind the house. She wondered who that wild, crazy cowboy was. On another occasion a handsome, blue-eyed, return missionary, Robert Neilson, knocked on the front door of the house looking for a block of salt. It was after hours, and the store was closed. Thelma's dad accommodated him. She thought to herself, "hmm, I think I'll make eyes at him." The eyes got it, and the rest is history. Robert and Thelma were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on September 6, 1950.

The newlyweds began their adventure in a little white house in Heman. Shortly after, Robert got a wild hair to try cattle ranching in Chilco, Idaho. It was a short-lived experiment. They returned to Fremont County and farmed, raised beef cattle, dairy cows and kids for the next 35 years.

Thelma's life spanned the Great Depression, World War II, the landing on the moon, and many technological advances.

She gained an unfailing testimony of the Savior and His gospel in seminary. She served willingly and faithfully in all church auxiliaries. In 1996, she and Robert served an 18-month mission in Baltimore, Maryland. She also loved indexing and was an extremely talented homemaker. Thelma taught her children the value of hard work and passed on her homemaking skills to them. She loved to crochet and oil paint. Many of her friends and family received gifts of her handiwork. Thelma loved to grow large vegetable gardens for preserves and a beautiful flower garden for her yard. She was always reading out of the best books and learning new skills. Thelma was meticulous in her dress and appearance and is remembered for her bright red lipstick.

Mom and dad left a supreme legacy of goodness, righteousness, honesty and humility. Thelma passed away quietly Sunday morning, May 7, 2023 at her home in Heman. She is survived by her children; Dan (Angie) Neilson, Karen (Nolon) Beard, Donnetta Rhead, Trudy Neilson, Kesl (Marla) Neilson, Ellen (Shayne) Remington, and Kyle (Renee) Neilson. She leaves a posterity of 33 grandchildren and 72 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her siblings, her son-in-law Randy Rhead, and a great-granddaughter Cheyenne Wight.

We will miss you Mom, but are so happy that you are with Dad at last!

Service will be live streamed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/thelma-neilson