Thelma Check

Thelma Check, 102, formerly of Laurel, MD and Honolulu, HI died Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Davis Community Long Term Care Facility in Wilmington, NC.

Thelma, the daughter of the late Torger and Anna Hofengen, was born in Williston on February 8, 1913.   Thelma had three sisters: the late Helen Sathe and Orpha Torvie and her amazing older sister Bernice Haakenson, 104, who survives her in Fargo, ND.  All four sisters were graduates of St Olaf College, Northfield, MN.   Thelma was extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage and North Dakota roots and was active in North Dakota societies wherever she lived.

Thelma taught in a three room school near Williston until she married the late Col. (ret) Gilbert J. Check and moved to Washington, DC where they lived, until he was called to active duty in 1941.  One of his early assignments was in Texas where their now deceased daughter, and only child, Betsy, was born.  In an early show of the inner strength that marked her entire life, Thelma successfully fought tuberculosis in a Minnesota sanitarium for almost 2 years.  During this time, Gil served in WWII while Betsy lived with Thelma’s parents.  The Check family lived in Japan, Germany, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Hawaii until Gil retired to Laurel, MD in 1967 as the Post Commander of Fort Meade.  Thelma served in many volunteer positions throughout their Army career including President of Officer’s Wives’ clubs and operating thrift shops.  She was instrumental in founding the Fort Meade Retired Officer’s Wives’ Club.  Thelma loved her family, Maryland crab cakes, visiting Hawaii, reading every best seller, doing crossword puzzles in ink and very dry vodka martinis, which she claimed were the secret of her longevity.

Thelma is survived by her granddaughters, Mary Jo Dorr of Potomac Falls, VA, Michele D. Kelly (Kevin), of Burr Ridge, IL and Julie D. Masters (Mason) of Powell, OH, 6 great grandchildren: Kayla, Aidan, Declan, and Calum Kelly, Parker and Peyton Masters as well as son-in-law, Jack Dorr (Stephanie), of Wilmington, NC.

A visitation will be held at the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., Laurel, MD from 2-4 PM Saturday, January 30th.   Burial will be at a later date with Gil and very near Betsy in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St. Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 or at www.curealz.org