Thelma J. Kneisel, 82, of Omaha, NE, died Wednesday morning, October 21, 2009, at Nebraska Methodist Hospital.

Thelma Jane Kneisel was born on April 4, 1927, in Brown County, Kansas, near Horton. She grew up there and when she left home she came to Atlantic, IA, and worked there for two years before moving to Omaha. She was employed first by Service Life Insurance Company and later went to work at the Veterans Administration Hospital, retiring from there in 1991 after over 20 years of service. Thelma continued to live in Omaha and for the last two years has been a resident of Nebraska Skilled Nursing. Thelma was very clever with her sayings. She enjoyed craft work, cooking, reading and being with people. She enjoyed her family, especially her nieces and nephews and their families.

Her parents and brothers Warren Kneisel and Norman Kneisel and one great-grand niece preceded Thelma in death.

Survivors include her sister Jean Morgan of Jamestown, NC and her sister-in-law Marge Kneisel of Portland, OR. Nieces and nephews [grand nieces and grand nephews] include Steven Morgan, Joy R.and Christopher Cranford [Jessica Isom and Joshua Cranford]; Nancy and Fred Buller [Megan and Natalie Buller]; Sharon and Richard Bruning [Elaine Carlson and Terry Bruning]; Janet and Don Hargis and [Deborah Krecklow, Don Hargis Jr. and Scott Hargis]; and Doyle and Sandy Kneisel [Tina Bakehouse, Adam Kneisel and Jodi Kneisel]. Thelma also had 4 great-grand nieces and 9 great-grand nephews.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at 11:00 AM at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold, Mike Fabian officiating. Burial will be in the Griswold Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is in charge of the arrangements.