Thelma Dietz Harris, 97 passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in Sterling, CO. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 9 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Michelle Witherspoon officiating.

Thelma was born March 17, 1920 in Brush, CO to Herbert and Anna (Bauder) Dietz. She grew up in Brush and attended school there until 1936 when her father, who worked for the Great Western Sugar Company, was transferred to Sterling. She graduated from Sterling High School in 1938. She attended Cotty College for one year where she played volleyball, basketball and softball. Thereafter, she attended Colorado State College (University of Northern Colorado) in Greeley for one year.

Thelma came back to Sterling and worked for the Mountain Bell Telephone Company until she married Chesley M. Harris, Jr. on April 6, 1944. Chesley was a flight instructor/pilot for the Navy and during the war years they lived in Ottumwa, IA, Dallas, TX and Corpus Christi, TX. When the war ended, they came back to Sterling and Chesley went to work at the Journal Office Supply which he co-owned with James Madison until he retired. Thelma stayed at home to raise their two children, but in 1968 she went to work at First Presbyterian Church where she worked in the office for 25 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Chesley; sister Dorothy and her mother and father.

Thelma is survived by her two children; daughter Mary (Don) Harris Boylls of Aurora, CO; son Dick (Susy) Harris of Alamo, CA; two grandsons, Rick and Mike Harris; one granddaughter Mimi Harris all of CA; two nieces, Marga (Bill) Boedeker of Los Alamos, NM and Linda Gwin of Winnetka, CA; and one nephew Dan (Linda) Hickox of Leander, TX.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Sterling, CO in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home.