Thelma L. Wiser, 83, Council Bluffs

A funeral service for Thelma L. Wiser was held Monday, July 31, 2023, at Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine. Denise Stevens presided. Honorary pallbearers were Matt Christensen, Erin Krier, Anthony Kelsay, Jake McCoid, Stephanie McCoid, Adele Schroeder, Samantha MacLean and Shelby Wiser. Fouts Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Thelma Louise Wiser was born in Adams County on Jan, 5, 1940, to Clarence and Vera (Arnburg) Shaefer. She grew up around Adams County, attending grade school, and graduated from Hartley High School in 1957.

In April of that year, she met Gerald "Bud" Wiser while she was working at Red's Café. They were engaged in August and on Oct. 20 they were married. They spent many of their early years moving around the Midwest where Bud was working construction. Thelma spent these years raising their children. She also spent many years helping others while working at Moore Brothers and the Missouri Valley Hospital. She also worked at Dr. Cohen's office and served as the city clerk in Northboro. Bud and Thelma were very active in the churches they attended, including the Woodbine, Northboro and Blanchard United Methodist churches, as well as the Noble, Grant and Lincoln Center churches.

Thelma was known for her amazing cooking skills, especially her fried chicken and homemade chicken and noodles. And do not forget the homemade pie that finished out the meal. Thelma also enjoyed knitting and crocheting and could often be found working in their garden. Most of all, Thelma loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thelma died on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence (Fern) Shaefer and Vera (Cliff) Hoff; husband, Bud, on Oct. 21, 2020; and siblings, Darrell Shaefer, Ronald Shaefer and Wilma Knock.

She is survived by her children: Beth Christensen, of Wichita, Kan.; Lori (Dave) Dyas, of Minden; Lisa (Warren) Eastman, of Des Moines; Jerry (Kris) Wiser, of Council Bluffs; and Cathy (Jeff) Wiser, of Underwood; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sister, Marilyn Jorgensen, of Sioux City; sisters-in-law: Sandi Shaefer, of Pella; Lois (Rich) Dilworth, of Castle Creek, N.Y.; Wanda Carroll, of Apalachin, N.Y.; and Rebecca Wiser, of Palm Bay, Fla.; brother-in-law, Marlo Knock, of Royal; and many other relatives and friends.