Mrs. Thelma Mae Dorin (nee Bratrud) passed away at Calgary, Alberta, after a brief illness, just short of her 100 Birthday, on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the age of 99 years.
Thelma was born and raised in Holden, Alberta, third child of a homesteading family that brought the school, the church and the post office to the Palmer-Earling area. As a young girl, Thelma developed a passion for learning and teaching. This passion led to a long career as a teacher, beginning in a one room school house and expanding through Edmonton Correspondence School, the Innisfail Elementary School for many years, and the Pine Hill Hutterite Colony, until her retirement in 1986. Her love of learning and teaching was evidenced in all her professional, volunteer, and faith involvement throughout her life. Thelma married Emil Alfred Dorin on January 19, 1945.
The post-war newlyweds traveled and worked in many towns in northern BC and Alberta, prior to settling in Innisfail in 1960. Thelma and Emil loved to dance. During their time in northern areas they organized square dancing events, gave lessons and started many clubs in Dawson Creek and Grande Prairie.
Thelma was active with Sons of Norway for many years. at the Aspelund Lodge in Red Deer. She held local and national positions from 1979, until leaving Red Deer in 2014.
She enjoyed being a part of Ski for Light, the Trollhaugen Language Camp, Arts and Culture Camps, Winter Games, and Outreach programs. Her interest in Norwegian heritage encouraged her to share her skills by teaching and coaching three additional generations of family to make lefse and kransekaker.
A woman of faith and a lifelong Lutheran, Thelma was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church in Innisfail; where she was the organist, a Sunday school teacher, and board member. She remained a congregational member until her passing.
Thelma left Innisfail for Red Deer, enjoying time at Victoria Park, then moving to Airdrie, to be closer to family. She made her last home in The Hamlets at Cedarwood Station, where she was an avid community member; as she was in every place lived over her life.
Thelma also applied her passion for lifelong learning to herself. She embraced technology, from desktop to iPad, to keep in contact with all her family and lifelong friends. She was a skillful user of email, FaceTime, and enjoyed the ability to video chat with her family.
Thelma maintained contact with friends from each living location and community experience, including students from her teaching days. She kept current with world affairs, sharing her perspective and always respecting that everyone had their own point of view.
Thelma had a deep love for family, keeping close with immediate and extended family members, staying in touch with many throughout her life; enjoying life to the fullest into her hundredth year, often commenting on her contentedness.
Thelma was daughter to Tom and Carrie Bratrud, wife to Emil Dorin, mother to Craig Dorin (Michele), Aline Bensen (Randy) and Kari-Lynn Black (Barry), grandmother to Cory, Jeffrey, Bryce, Karla, Jill and Marshall, and great grandmother to Emilia. She was aunt extraordinaire to many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Thelma was predeceased by her husband, Emil, her brothers, Harold and Clayton and a sister, Connie. A Celebration of Thelma's Life will take place at a later date, when it is safe to travel and come together. If desired, Memorial Donations may be made directly to the Peace Lutheran Church, 4027 - 48 Avenue, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1J6 or to the Sons of Norway at www.sofn.com. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 - 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta
Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437
Heartland Funeral Services Ltd.