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Thelma Gene Forgey Obituary
Description: Thelma Gene Forgey Obituary... Our Heartfelt Condolences To Her Loved Ones...
Thelma Gene Forgey
March 28, 1941 - April 17, 2025
Obituary
Thelma Gene Forgey, at the age of 84, peacefully departed this world on April 17, 2025, at her home, surrounded by loved ones. Born on March 28, 1941, to George and Pauline Murray, Thelma was the youngest of three sisters—Lela, Fern, and herself. Growing up just a mile east of Stonington, CO, they all attended Stonington School through the 8th grade. The girls shared countless memories with friends who felt like family. Jim, Ted, and Donna Jean Burhenn were practically siblings to them.
Thelma's mother, Pauline, was an amazing cook and seamstress who passed down her skills to her daughters. Thelma often reminisced about how many Angel Food cakes her father had to eat while they practiced for 4-H and the county fair. All three sisters were quite the competitors in state contests with their baked goods and sewing projects. Throughout her life, she created many beautiful clothes, quilts, and other handmade items for her family, especially her grandkids and great-grandkids.
It was during her high school years in Walsh, that she met Larry Lewis Forgey, the love of her life. They tied the knot on June 12, 1960, and soon settled down on the farm just south of Walsh. Their family began to grow with the arrival of William “Bill” Ray Forgey on November 5, 1961, followed by Larry Gene Forgey on March 18, 1963.
Thelma was no ordinary farm wife; she rolled up her sleeves and got right to work alongside Larry. She learned to drive the tractor and combine, handled the trucks, and was truly a partner in every sense. Then came Wendy Lynn Forgey on June 9, 1972—Thelma always joked that she raised Wendy in the seat of the truck! Her hard work did not go unnoticed, as Thelma was nominated for, and won Farm Wife of the Year in 1976.
One of Thelma's passions was gardening. She loved tending to her plants and canning the fruits of her labor, often sharing her bounty with friends and neighbors in Walsh. There were always whispers about folks needing to lock their cars to avoid getting surprised by squash and zucchini from Thelma! She was particularly famous for her green beans, corn, pickled okra, and zucchini bread.
In the springtime, you could find Thelma outside tending to her flowers or mowing the lawn—she mowed everything! You had to be careful about what you wore around her; if you showed up in green, you might just find yourself getting mowed down!
The family continued to grow when Bill married Jana Seemann in December 1983, adding JC, Amanda, Thomas, and Josh to the mix. Then in May 1985, Larry Gene married Brenda Ankrum, adding Whitney and Clay to the family.
Larry and Thelma adored their grandkids. They were always there cheering them on at football games, wrestling matches, volleyball games, baseball games, and even Little Britches rodeo events. They loved taking the grandkids on trips and fishing adventures. Hooking up the horse trailer for a trip to Turks pond was a favorite pastime. Nights were spent fishing under the stars before crashing in the horse trailer. Honestly, it was hard to tell who was in charge because Grandma and Grandpa got into as much mischief as the kids!
As the grandkids started their own families, Larry and Thelma were blessed with great-grandkids to spoil rotten: Kameron, Devyn, Gunner, Ashleigh Wray; Maddyson “Maddy” and Connor Forgey; Nasya and Natalie Forgey; and Taylee and Tessa Forgey. Thelma cherished having family around. She rarely turned down a chance to babysit her grandkids or great-grandkids and would happily rearrange her schedule just to spend time with them.
Thelma faced the unimaginable loss of her beloved Larry on August 8th, 2012. This was undeniably one of the most challenging moments in her life. Yet, true to her resilient spirit, Thelma demonstrated remarkable strength and grace. She taught us all the importance of moving forward, anchored by her unwavering faith. Her steadfast belief in the Lord’s Grace and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ served as her guiding light. Thelma held onto the hope and promise that one day, she would be reunited with Larry.
Thelma was a true pillar of the Walsh community. Her dedication and love for her town were evident in everything she did, from organizing major celebrations like the bi-centennial in 1976 and the 80th anniversary in 2006, to her constant efforts in bringing people together. She wasn’t just about the big events; Thelma was equally passionate about everyday community service. Whether it was leading town clean-ups or helping those in need, she was always at the forefront.
Her involvement in restoring the Stonington Church and organizing the annual Christmas Eve programs showed her commitment to preserving our community’s heritage. As the chairwoman of the Ministerial Alliance, she devoted countless hours to preparing Christmas Boxes and supporting locals during tough times. Her meticulous nature was evident in her role as caretaker of the Stonington Cemetery, where she often enlisted family for tasks like mowing, moving water pipes, and painting.
Quilting was another way Thelma shared her love, creating warmth not just for her family but also for veterans through Quilts of Valor, a project that meant a lot to her. She truly enjoyed honoring those who served, and made many quilts over the years for veterans near and far.
As her health began to decline in late 2022, her children jumped in to keep things rolling. Bill stepped up to manage the Stonington Cemetery, with Mom and Aunt Fern giving him a little nudge here and there. Bill and Wendy also took on the garden, but let's be honest, they’re no Thelma. Keeping an eye on Larry Gene was another adventure; she caught him solo on the barn roof one day and immediately sent out an SOS to Whitney and Brenda, to make sure he wasn’t up there without backup.
Thelma was blessed to have most of her family living within an hour's drive, and Wendy completed the circle when she moved back to Walsh in 2015. Thelma always said her biggest joy was her family, and she loved us all fiercely. She taught us the true meaning of unconditional love and hard work.
Thelma leaves behind a rich legacy of love, family, and cherished memories. Her presence will be deeply missed by a wide circle of family and friends who were touched by her warmth and kindness. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Larry, her parents George and Pauline Murray, her in-laws Cad and Oleta Forgey, and her brother-in-law Bill Wright, along with other cherished family members.
Carrying on her memory are her children: sons William "Bill" Ray (Jana) Forgey, Larry Gene (Brenda) Forgey, and daughter Wendy Forgey. Her grandchildren JC (Elissa) Forgey, Whitney (Adam) Wray, Amanda Forgey, Clay (Meghan) Forgey, Thomas Forgey, and Josh Forgey (Rae Tucker) continue her legacy with great pride. Thelma's great-grandchildren Kameron Wray, Maddyson "Maddy" Forgey, Devyn Wray, Taylee Forgey, Nasya Forgey, Gunner Wray, Tessa Forgey, Natalie Forgey, Ashleigh Wray, and Connor Forgey will carry forward the joy she brought into their lives. Thelma is also survived by her sisters Lela (Dean) Sides and Fern (Bill) Wright, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Dykes Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
