Thelma Alberta Vreed
March 27, 1914 - December 28, 2010
Obituary
Vreed, Thelma Alberta, 96, 3-27-1914 to 12-28-2010. Thelma Vreed was born Thelma Alberta Phillips in Chehalis Washington and was the first of 8 children born to Charles Phillips and Margaret Byrd. As the oldest daughter she was involved in many aspects of raising her brothers and sisters and this is probably where she first experienced the joy of ‘mothering’! Thelma had many adventures in her young life including her whole family moving cross country from Chehalis Washington to Florida, and then back again. This gave her quite an impression of the USA. After returning home to Chehalis her family moved to Coyle, Washington. Thelma split her schooling between Coyle and Chehalis until she graduated from High School in Chehalis. Thelma then rejoined her family in Coyle and this is where she met her future husband Ken Vreed. During the late 1930’s, Thelma married Ken. President Roosevelt, her favorite President prior to President Kennedy, created work programs in the area where her husband found employment. With the country slowly emerging from the ‘Great Depression’ opportunities surfaced. She and her husband leased a restaurant in Chimacum. Through her efforts the business prospered for a time until her generosity of extending credit to those patrons struggling during the difficult times forced them to close the business. Soon after Thelma’s father heard the ‘call of the north’. He once again loaded up his family on his fishing boat called ‘The Reliable’ and steamed off to Alaska. Thelma and Ken accompanied them on this adventure with the final destination Juneau, Alaska. Upon arriving in Juneau she found odd jobs until eventually accepting a full time position doing homemaking in the Governor’s mansion in Juneau, Alaska. Thelma enjoyed the Alaskan lifestyle as she loved being outdoors and preparing dishes made with catches from nature’s bounty.
After a few years in Juneau, Thelma and Ken moved back to Seattle. It was here in 1942 that Thelma became a mother when her only son Charles Kenneth Vreed was born. They lived in West Seattle for a few years before moving to Port Orchard, Washington where Ken Vreed picked huckleberry brush and worked as a mechanic and machinist. She named her son after the great aviator Charles Lindbergh who she was a life-long fan of. The family of three lived in Port Orchard until 1960 when Ken, a machinist at Boeing, had the family home built in West Seattle where she remained for the rest of her life.
Before, but especially after, Ken’s retirement from Boeing, Ken and Thelma often hit the open road to see the country. They enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and sightseeing and their trips took them all over the United States and Canada staying in campgrounds and visiting distant family members. Thelma made sure the camper was neat and ship-shape and Ken was the official driver. Thelma never learned to drive a car and really never wanted to!
In 1973 Thelma became a grandmother to the first of two children born to her son Charles and his wife Edda. Thelma was extremely delighted about this! Her intrinsic caring nature again showed itself as she became ‘Grandma’ to her grandchildren Kenneth and Sara Vreed. She could always be counted on to look after the children and often feed them too many cookies! ‘Grandma’s Cookies’, as they came to be known, were abundant and delicious and the grandchildren would often be sent home with a large bag of them. These cookies often only lasted the time it took to drive to their home.
In 1990 Thelma’s was saddened by the passing of her husband and began living by herself in their home for the first time ever. While this was an adjustment Thelma made the best of it spending time with neighbors, baking and stocking her freezer with her famous cookies and rolls, visiting her family during holidays, and reading the daily newspaper and many, many books.
In the mid-nineties Thelma welcomed her son back to the home to live with her. She again got to be a mother and homemaker while her son worked and took care of her making sure she received everything she needed from shopping to medical services. Because Thelma was afflicted by osteoporosis she suffered many broken bones including 2 hip fractures. She always bounced right back from these ordeals and seemed to be back to her old self in no time at all.
One of Thelma’s fondest recent memories was attending a large family reunion at a beautiful park on the Olympic Peninsula where she had an opportunity to sit and talk with her 4 sister’s and see all of the family that these 5 women had created. Old stories and old photos were abundant and pictures from that day were prominently displayed in her home from then on. Other events included attending the college graduations of each of her grandchildren and in 2009, she got all dressed up and attended her grandson’s wedding in Oregon. She had a front row seat for the ceremony and thoroughly enjoyed all the wedding festivities and of course the cake!
Thelma is preceded in death by her brothers, Bien and Jimmy, her sisters, Jeanetta, Donna, Charlotte, and her husband, Ken Vreed. Thelma is survived by her two sisters, Doris and Evelyn; her son Charles; her grandson Ken and his wife Vanessa and granddaughter Sara; and her loving cat Skeeter who she cared for the last 14 years.
If there is one word that describes Thelma Alberta Vreed it is ‘caring’. She cared for everybody and took care of anyone who needed it. She was a special woman with a warm smile and a huge heart. She will be missed and remembered.
Thelma was a wonderful neighbor and friend. I count myself lucky to have known her. I only hope I can be so spry and sharp, like Thelma, when I enter my golden years. Thelma, we are missing you down here!
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and condolences. We had a very nice memorial service for my grandma yesterday. The mood was upbeat, the flowers were beautiful, and many friends and relatives were in attendance. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts for my sweet grandma Thelma.
Thank you,
Ken Vreed
Chuck,
Your mother’s obituary was beautiful and she sounded like an amazing person. Best wishes to you and your family.
Shannon and Karma-Lynn
I’ve known Thelma for about 6o years and have always been so delighted to have her as a friend. She was my Mom and Dads neighbor and that’s how we came to be friends. My parents thought she was the greatest neighbor and a most wonderful friend. After they passed I remained friends with her . She met my children and some of my grandchildren and they were all very fond of her too. She will be missed.
Thelma was such a special person to me and to my Grandparents Jim an Mary Sloan. I will never forget a summer spent with them and getting to know all three of them. I will miss her.
Deepest Sympathy to all of the Vreed family, our thoughts are with you today, God be with you!
Aunt Thelma was a very lovely lady, quiet and sweet. She was always gracious and pleasant. I remember the tasty treats that she always had ready for her guests. I didn’t visit very often but I really enjoyed my visits and the conversation.
May you be blessed with comfort and peace at this time.
My Mother, Donna Phillips Tracy, shared many stories of her childhood and the Phillips clan. I have very fond memories of the many times Mom, Dad, Thelma, Kenny and cousins Chuck, Carol, Janet and Debbie, got together. I know the four of them are having a great time in Heaven.
Carol Tracy Holum, neice
Hi “Charles” So sorry to hear about your mom. I will give you a call later this week to talk.
Kathy and I both want to express our condolences.
Chuck,
What a beautiful obituary. Your Mom must have been very special and you were blessed to have her so many years. Our love, prayers, and thoughts are with you and your family.
Aunt Thelma was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. I have many fond memories of her as a child and an adult. She will be missed. I hope she is at peace in heaven with her husband and family.