Thelma Engen

Thelma Engen was born in New York City, on Feb. 11, 1930, and passed away on Oct. 31, 2005, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

She lived in New York until 1962, when she moved to Santa Fe, N.M. She then moved to Pasadena, Calif., in late 1963. Her working career was one of service. She was a nursing assistant, a job she loved, for 10 years at Glendale Adventist Hospital when injuries prevented her from doing that type of work.

She then went back to school and earned an associate of art degree in early childhood education from Citrus College in Azusa, Calif. The remainder of her working years was as a preschool teacher. She was very good at that job as she loved little children and they loved her.

Thelma was a very artistic and creative person. She painted, created crafts and was a good photographer. While at Citrus College, she was a photographer for the school newspaper.

Thelma loved God and America, her favorite bird being the eagle, our national symbol. She also was proud of her Norwegian roots.

Thelma moved to Sandpoint in July 2001 to be near her sister. She was a resident of Valley Vista Care Center for the last two years where she was so well loved and cared for.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kristian and Maja Engen; and was the beloved sister of Gladys of Sandpoint; and Rowena of Hayden. She also is survived by numerous relatives in Norway.

Final arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service with private family services to follow.