The Wahkiakum County Eagle-April 10, 2008
Cathlamet, Washington

Thelma M. Strange

Thelma May Strange of Klipsan Beach died April 3, 2008 in Portland.

She was born on May 23, 1921 to Henry and Martha (Wirkkala) Kemppi in 
Deep River. 

She overcame polio to graduate from Naselle High School in 1939.

She trained as a nurse in Astoria and served as a surgical nurse in 
WWII, before returning to work in Ilwaco.

She married Robert Strange in 1968 in Bellingham. He survives her. Also 
surviving are sons Bud Strange and Jim Strange both of Naselle, and 
Dennis Strange of Deep River; daughter Gail Lewis of Puyallup; brother 
Reino Kemppi of Portland; numerous nieces and nephews and other 
extended family. She was preceded in death by sisters Viola "Betsy" and 
Frances.

A funeral service will be held on April 14 at 1 p.m. at Penttila's 
Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach with a reception to follow at the 
chapel. Concluding graveside service follows at Peaceful Hill Cemetery 
in Naselle.


Thelma May (Kemppi) Strange
Peaceful Hill Cemetery-Naselle, WA
23 May 1921-3 April 2008
(As compiled by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society in 2008.)