Thelma Lukenbill Rales, 82

Thelma Lukenbill Rales, 82, "went home to be with the Lord" on Jan. 9, 2007, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. "The battle's over and the victory's been won, ten thousand years and she's just begun." She was born May 22, 1924, in Kalispell to Herman and Nora Lukenbill.

Thelma was an avid cook and kept active with her sewing, gardening, camping, reading and bowling, but her favorite pastime was her family. She loved throwing "theme" parties for her family and making special memories by creating one-of-a-kind gifts. She had been known to take only her grandchildren with her camping for a whole week. She loved her family.

Thelma held many offices in the local Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge in Kalispell. She became the Montana state president in 1992-1993, an office which she was very proud to have attained.

She was a member of Bible Baptist Church and the Home Arts Club for many years. She was especially proud of being instrumental in organizing the ongoing Lyght Family Reunion in honor of her grandparents, Caleb and Nancy Lyght.

Thelma will be sorely missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Edna Rexford; a brother, Frank Lukenbill; and two grandsons, Ronny Evenson and David Parkinson.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Robert "Bob" Rales, of Kalispell; five children, Nora Holmquist, Kenneth Evenson and wife, Rosemary, Nancy Evenson, Robbie Rales, and Shelly Parkinson and her husband, Larry; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Anna Lyght and husband, Don, Lena Rogers and Lu Lukenbill.

Funeral services for Thelma Rales will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Bible Baptist Church with burial afterward at Glacier Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials go to the Missionary Fund at Bible Baptist Church, 2648 Highway 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Thelma's family.