Obituary - Thelma M. McLain

Thelma M. McLain, 96, passed away due to natural causes at the Northern Montana Care Center on Saturday, April 13, 2019.

Her funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Thelma's family has suggested memorial donations be made to St. Jude Thaddeus School, St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, or the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Thelma's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Thelma was born on July 28, 1922, in Havre to Wilford and Marie (Shinners) Cole. She was raised in Havre, attending St. Jude grade school and graduating from Havre High School in 1941. She worked at Woolworths for a year, and then moved on to work as a telephone operator from 1942 to 1945. In 1946, she married William Francis McLain, and they had 11 children. After her children were all in school, she worked at Patterson's dress shop, and volunteered at the hospital. Francis passed away in 1992, and she kept busy with her children and grandchildren. Her birthday became cause for large celebrations for the family, and she enjoyed them to the fullest extent.

Thelma enjoyed posing for pictures, dancing, and cuddling babies. She loved children, and her grandchildren, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids were the love of her life. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by friends and family. She loved organizing and attending family gatherings, and, best of all, being the center of attention!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis McLain; parents, Wilford and Marie Cole; brothers Bill and Dick Cole; sisters Della Pimley, Dorothy Solomon, Lois Waller and Jean Stengen; and daughters-in-law Mary and Luann McLain.

Thelma is survived by her daughters, Peggy (Herb) Hanson of Havre, Janet (Tom) Lipp of Helena, Wanda (Bob) Letang of Bozeman, Carol McLain of Billings, and Sharon McLain of Havre; sons Mike (Paula), John (Judi), Bruce, Steve (Marilyn), and Tracy (Stephanie) McLain, all of Havre, and Jay (Kathy) McLain of Great Falls; 42 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brothers Jim Cole of Havre and Tom Cole of Plains; sister Ann LaCroix of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.