Thelma Lien

Thelma Ruda (Kamrud) Lien, 85, went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2003. Burial: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, North Dakota.

She was born on the family farm in rural Bottineau County, North Dakota on February 18, 1918, the 10th of Iver and Ragnhild Kamrud's eleven children.

Thelma met Allen H. Lien and married her one and only love on September 4, 1937 in a little white church in the Turtle Mountains in Bottineau. Together they farmed in the Bottineau and Rolette areas. In between farms, Thelma raised her three boys while her husband served his country. Following his return they had two daughters. Later, the family traveled on road construction projects until settling in Jamestown in 1960. Thelma and Allen worked at the North Dakota State Hospital, she as a psych tech, retiring in 1980 soon after the passing on of her husband. She resided most recently at Hi-Acres Manor in Jamestown.

She was a lady of many loves - God, church, family and friends - and they were her life's true work. Thelma kept busy through the years raising her five children, making rag rugs on a loom for people who were special to her, playing the piano, and attending Bible groups and hobby clubs. She loved planning family reunions. Thelma was best known for her holiday baking and received many ribbons at the county fair for her baked goods. Known by her customers as the "lefsa lady", she will be remembered and missed by many during the Christmas holidays.

She is survived by two sons - Kenneth Lien (Toshiko) of Spokane, Washington and Dale F. Lien (Bonnie) of San Diego, California, two daughters - Linda M. Niess (John) of Fremont, Indiana and Lonnie G. Stone (James) of Jamestown, North Dakota, one daughter-in-law, Bette Lien of Jamestown, North Dakota, as well as 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren and three especially loved people - Erin, Lori and David Skadsem of Jamestown.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, all of her brothers and sisters, her husband, her son - Allen R. Lien of Jamestown - four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a son-in-law.

Prior to passing, she extended a loving "thank you" to her granddaughters - Donna Entzminger, Emily Stone, and Denise Lien - who were able to help her daughter, Lonnie, care for her and left this special message from mom/grandma, "I'm planning a family reunion; I'd like everyone to be there."