Obituary of Thelma G. Hottel

Thelma G. Hottel, 88, longtime resident of Iowa City, died Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 15th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with burial following at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials in Thelma's name can be directed to Iowa City Hospice, the American Red Cross or VOSH (Volunteer Optometrist Services to Humanity). Thelma G. Bakken was born February 13, 1926, in Kensett, Iowa; daughter of Melvin and Bertine (Bjaaland) Bakken. After high school Thelma attended St. Mary's College – School of Nursing where she obtained her degree and became a Registered Nurse. She married Philip Hottel on June 18, 1951, in Colorado Springs, CO. After marriage they made Iowa City home, where they had resided since. Thelma was a very caring and helping person, volunteering many years and hours with the Red Cross, she was also active with the Pilot Club and Norse Club. Thelma was a very supportive person when someone else was in need; she donated time, talent and home to many people over many years. Most of these opportunities came about from church connections; she was a past member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church both in Iowa City. In later years she was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in West Branch and First Lutheran Church in Conroy. Thelma and Philip traveled extensively for over two decades looking to help those in need from S. Africa to Mexico; together they made over twenty annual mission trips with VOSH, helping those who may not have otherwise had proper eye care. Her family includes her children; Mark Hottel (Lita), Dr. Paul Hottel (Rachel) and Kathryn Zimmerman (Dennis); 8 grandchildren, Luke, Lars, Hans, Rueben, Bonita, Wesley, Elisabeth (all Hottels) & Kai Zimmerman ; 2 great-grandchildren, and siblings, Genevieve Moen, Sylvia Toney, Duane Bakken and Karen Predovich. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Jeffrey; infant grandson, Jonas and sisters, Dena McDowall and Beverly Wilmeth. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Thelma's family and her services.