Thelma Helaine Wilson

Funeral services for Thelma Wilson of Henning, MN, formerly of Hancock, MN will be held Friday, February 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Hancock, with Reverend Julius Miller officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be in the Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton, MN.

Thelma Helaine Anderson was born on July 7, 1940, on the Anderson family farm in Scott Township, Stevens County, Minnesota the daughter of Edwin and Mabel (Kohlman) Anderson. She was baptized July 28, 1940 by Reverend N.C. Renslo. Upon the sale of the farm, the family moved to a farm in Swift County. She attended school at Appleton Public School and graduated from Appleton High School, Class of 1959.

At age 16, she took a part-time job at the bakery in Appleton working daily when she got out of school. After graduation, she moved to Excelsior and worked for State Auto Insurance Company. Not liking city life, she moved back to Appleton and worked at the grocery store.

On July 7, 1969, she married Edward Wilson. Thelma was a busy farm wife raising her children and helping with farm work. Anyone who drove on the yard was always invited in for coffee or a meal. The freezer was always supplied with plenty of pies, cookies and bars to serve. When Ed had to quit farming, Thelma took a job at the University of Minnesota Morris campus working in the Registrar’s office and worked there for 22 years. Following Ed’s death in 2005, Thelma remained on the farm for two years and then moved to Henning to be closer to her daughter. She later moved to Benson and eventually returned to Henning.

Thelma made many quilts for all the family and grandchildren. She enjoyed birds, embroidery, cooking, baking, gardening, canning and her flower beds.

Thelma died on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Willow Creek Assisted Living in Henning. She was 85 years old.

Survivors include her children, Paul (Joye) Wilson of Rochester, Charles Wilson of Benson, Penny (Brian) Rehm of Henning and Charlene (Randy) Witt of Parkers Prairie; 10 grandchildren, Danielle (Jared) Heyer, Michelle Rausch, Cassandra (Jason) Wilson, Jaimen (Cassie) Wilson, Isaac Wilson, Emily Wilson, Abbie Wilson, Samantha (Derek Hoelscher) Witt, Alyssa Witt, Hendrick Witt; step-grandchild, Terie (Justin) Rehm; great-grandchildren, Hudson Heyer, Carly Heyer, Charli Yang and Riley Ann Wilson; sister, Elnor (Larry) Benkowski of Ortonville and sister-in-law, Yvonne Munsterman of Appleton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Mabel; husband, Edward Wilson; brother, Harvey Anderson; sisters, Delores Anderson and Marion Anderson; and nieces, Kristine Benkowski and Angie Anderson.

The Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Thelma.