Thelma K. Aurand

Thelma was the wife of Donald L. Aurand, whom she married on June 16th, 1951. They recently celebrated their 73rd anniversary.

Thelma was born July 7, 1929 in Lewistown, PA and was the daughter of the late Clair H. Kratzer and Edna Eward Kratzer.

Thelma was a 1947 graduate of Lewistown High School and a 1951 graduate of Shippensburg State Teachers College.

She taught first grade for 3 years at J.P. Wickersham School in the Lancaster School District, and kindergarten for 23 years at M.J. Brecht School in the Manheim Township School District. Thelma was an inspirational teacher. Decades after her retirement, people still came up to her to thank her for the huge impact she had had on school children.

Thelma and Don joined St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in January of 1959, and were very active members. Thelma served on Church Council, the Intern Committee, the Prayer Chain, St. Peter’s Musical Arts Committee, and the Pre-school Board. She especially enjoyed the handbell choir, having been a ringer for more than 20 years.

Time with family was important to her, as well as travel, bridge, and reading.

Thelma and her husband were both born on July 7th, and they enjoyed celebrating their birthdays together.

Surviving are two sons, David S. Aurand of Reading, PA (partner Inge Lasota) and Steven K. Aurand of Miami, FL and Paris, France (husband Mathias Dadou), a granddaughter, Kristen Vanhorn (husband Dustin Vanhorn) and their four children, Andrew Bear, Ella Bear, Bo Bear, and Braxlee Vanhorn of Coudersport, PA, and a grandson, Amadou Diallo of Paris, France.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 20 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church,10 Delp Road, Lancaster, PA. Visitation in the Chapel will precede the service at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.