Obituary of Ellen Aldeman

Ellen "Thelma" Aldeman, 91, longtime resident of Iowa City, died peacefully Monday, January 18, 2016. Ellen was blessed to have the ability and good health to stay at home, up until days before her death. Ellen Thelma Jensen was born August 20, 1924 in West Branch, Iowa; daughter of Wilmer and Ella Jensen. She graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1942 and attended Commercial College in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. She worked for many years at the University of Iowa with the Saturday and Evening Class Program, retiring in 1984. She also worked with the Iowa City School District's Board of Education in their administration. She was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City, the Church Circle, member of the former Iowa City Women's Club and spent many hours at Mercy Hospital assisting others as a hospital volunteer. Her family includes her children; Mary Franck (Lee), Jim (Barb), Ed (Denise) and Steve Aldeman as well as many grandchildren; Mark Aldeman, Michael (Carrie) Aldeman, David, Matt (Amy) Aldeman, Chad (Gaby) Aldeman, Bill (Ariel) Henss, Megan (Erik) Johansen, Lee (Shelia) Franck and Don (Christine) Franck and great-grandchildren; Jacob, Andrew, Emily, Lucas, Lucia and Roy Aldeman and Billie Henss, Gavin, Logan, Lauryn, Lane, Jordyn Franck and Wesley Johansen. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 60 years, Bernard, and her eldest son, Jerry; brothers, Warren and Orvald Jensen and sister, Esther Weismann. A service to celebrate Thelma's life will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where visitation will being one hour prior. A luncheon will follow the funeral service and inurnment will take place at the West Branch Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. that day. Memorials in Thelma's name may be directed to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or Iowa City Hospice. A Few Selected Verses to Reflect Upon: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. Job 19:25 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11