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ALPHA -- A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Thelma Ann (Hansen) Soucek, age 80, of Alpha, will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Alpha, with a time of visitation and gathering from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Jackson.
Thelma Ann Hansen was born on Feb. 7, 1946, in Estherville, Iowa, to Henry and Eithel (Bunday) Hansen. She grew up in Estherville and attended public school there. As a young woman, a fun outing to the roller-skating rink in Estherville led her to the love of her life, Duane Soucek. The two were united in marriage on March 6, 1966, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Estherville.
Duane and Thelma established their home and life together on the farm, where Thelma poured her heart into being a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. The word "homemaker" scarcely captured all that she did--she stretched every dollar with resourcefulness, kept a home filled with warmth, and faithfully had hot meals on the table every day at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., ensuring both her family and the farm’s hired hands were well-fed. Together, Duane and Thelma were blessed with seven children spanning a seventeen-year age difference. Thelma spent much time caring for her special needs daughter, Amanda, who had physical challenges and brought immense joy to her and the entire family.
While living on the farm, Thelma was an active and faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alpha, attending regularly and participating in church life. She also worked as a cook for Head Start when her youngest son, Henry, was little, a role she truly enjoyed. She loved keeping a vegetable garden and had a deep fondness for wildflowers and tulips. She also enjoyed reading, making May Day baskets, taking her children to the outdoor swimming pool on hot summer days, and caring for infants and babies. Known for her private, tender-hearted, and patriotic nature, Thelma knew God well and trusted Him fully through every season. Her fun, upbeat personality shone through in her cheerful love of bingo, roller-skating in her youth, and her fondness for retro "hippy" expressions--frequently calling things "groovy."
Following Duane's passing, Thelma remained on the farm as long as she could. Beginning in 2002, she worked at Casey's in Estherville making donuts. She eventually moved to Fairmont, Minn., living with her son Dean before moving to an apartment, where she joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church and became active with the Ladies Aid. She later moved to Lake Crystal to be closer to her daughter Mary. In 2021, as health needs arose, she made her home at the Good Samaritan Society in Jackson, where she enjoyed the activities, made wonderful friends, and especially loved playing bingo.
Above all, Thelma cherished her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her children’s friends often remembered her simply as a loving, welcoming mom who did the best she could and cared deeply for those around her. She was immensely proud of every generation that followed her, always eagerly asking for updates on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Thelma Ann Soucek passed away on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Jackson, surrounded by the love of her family.
Left to cherish Thelma’s memory are her children, Margo Smith of Sherburn, Dean Soucek of Fairmont, Mary (Mark) Peterson of Rapidan, Amy (Adam) Altman of Lakefield, Tina (Jeremy) Olson of St. Joseph, Miss., and Henry (Kelly) Soucek of Alpha; 16 grandchildren, Cassandra Roben, Danielle (Daniel) Gronewold, Jessica (Joseph) Streeter, Jonathan (Grace Heller) Soucek, Michael (Anneli) Soucek, Austin Nommensen, Randy Altman, Nicholas Altman, Kristofer Altman, Jacob (Emily) Olson, Payton (Tristina) Olson, Chase Olson, Gabriel Baker, Noah Orlikowski, Lane Soucek, and Oliver Soucek; 14 great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Kaleb, Caine, Lidya, Julia, Matthew, Hannah, Levi, Crew, Sutton, Rylie, Madilyne, Sage, and Jetson, with one more on the way; siblings, Harvey Hansen, Mary Thomas, Sandra (Jim) Ramsey, and Betty Pederson; along with many nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and dear friends.
Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Duane Soucek; parents, Henry and Eithel Hansen; daughter, Amanda Soucek; brother, Eugene Hansen; sister, Grace Cole; and other cherished family members.
Blessed be the memory of Thelma Ann (Hansen) Soucek.