Thelma (Smith) Hahn Burkle

Thelma Hahn Burkle, 96, of Fargo, formerly of Chaffee, ND, passed away Monday, April 5, 2021, at One Oak Place, in Fargo, ND.

Thelma Irene Smith was born at home on July 27, 1924, in Galesburg, ND.  She was baptized August 24, 1924, at the Elm River Lutheran Church in Galesburg, with her sponsors being Mr. & Mrs. Iver Smith, Marian Smith and George Stundahl.  Thelma was confirmed in 1939 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Page, ND.  She graduated from Chaffee High School in 1944.  Two days after graduation, she left for Wisconsin where she stayed with her sister, Phyllis, and worked in Baraboo, making gun powder for the war effort.  A year later she moved back home.  Thelma married Robert “Bob” Hahn on May 14, 1945, in Rock Rapids, Iowa.  They had six children together:  Joyce,  Betty, Robert II, Rodney, Beverly and Ellen.  Ellen passed away at the age of 4 years.  Over the years, Thelma raised her children, was a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, election worker, was involved with the Democratic party, bookkeeper for Bob’s business and volunteered in many other ways.  Post WWII, Thelma volunteered her service with the Civil Air Patrol, spotting for possible foreign aircrafts crossing US Borders.  She was the first woman to serve on St. Peter Church Council.

After 40 years of marriage, Bob passed away on November 25, 1985, in Chaffee, ND.  He is buried in Watson Cemetery rural Leonard, ND.  On June 6, 1992, Thelma married Raymond Burkle at St. Peter Church in Leonard.  After 18 years of marriage, Raymond passed away on November 16, 2010, in Fargo. 

Thelma was preceded in death by daughters:  Ellen Jeanette Hahn & Betty Jean Pietsch;  grandson:  Jacob Eugene Hahn;  daughter-in-law:  Barbara Anne Hahn;  son-in-law:  Clayton  Larson;  husbands:  Robert Edward Hahn & Raymond Burkle;  siblings:  Theodore-Palmer (Evelyn) Smith,  Grace (Vern “Buster”) Hunter,  Sivert (Mary) Smith,  Hans Peter Smith,  Jack Farrell (brother-in-law),  Harold (Marcella) Smith,  Betty Lou (Arnold) Peterson,  Delores (Hiram “Dusty”) Rhoads,  Verna (Robert) Roidt,  Roy Flieth (brother-in-law),  and Dwayne Smith.

Surviving are her children:  Joyce Larson (Donald Freed),  Larry Pietsch (son-in-law), Robert II (Eileen) Hahn, Rodney (Peggy) Hahn, and Beverly (Dennis) Heller;   grandchildren:  Kelly (Wayne) Tweten,  Todd (Janice) Larson,  Brian Pietsch (Christopher Hermann),  Brenda (Tom) Levos,  Susan (Glenn) Roll,  Kevin (Erin) Pietsch,  Briana (Kelly) Brandt,  Levi (Tia) Heller,  Joshua (Tara) Hahn, and Jeffrey (Ashley) Hahn;  great-grandchildren:  Vanessa (Abram) Jackson,  Christopher (Autumn) Baumler,  Casey (Emily) Larson,  Amber Larson (Chris),  Chad Larson,  Hope Levos,  Megan Levos,  Dalton Roll (Arianna),  Alissa Roll (Alex),  Sophia Roll,  Matthew Pietsch,  Reagan Pietsch,  Averi Brandt,  Cade Brandt,  Gus Heller,  Emma Heller,  Molly Hahn,  Sadie Hahn, and Jackson Hahn;  great-great-grandchildren:  Laela, Chandler & Azalea Jackson, and Walker Baumler;  siblings:  Phyllis Farrell,  Donald (Doris) Smith, and Shirley Flieth.

Funeral:  10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Leonard, ND.

Visitation:  An hour prior

Burial:  Watson Cemetery, rural Leonard, ND.

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