Thelma Youll, age 93, of Sac City, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, Iowa. 

   Thelma Faye (Richards) Youll was born in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, on February 4, 1923, the daughter of John and Martha (Toepfer) Richards who preceded her in death.

   She attended Boone, IA, public schools and graduated in 1941.

   After graduation she attended AIB and then worked in the law offices of Dyer, Jordan & Dyer for five years.  After her marriage, she attended college and graduated from Buena Vista University in 1968.  She taught elementary school in Iowa Falls and in Sac City for a total of 27 years.  Although she taught first, second, and fifth grades, first grade was her love.

   Thelma married Ralph Youll in Boone, IA, on September 25, 1945. They had four children, Pamela, Mary Jo, Joanne and Jerry. 

   She was preceded in death by her husband, her two sisters, Letha Wierson and Vera Knox.

   She is survived by her children:  Pamela (Andrew) Stone of Newton, Mary Jo (Lee) Den Hartog of Centerville, Joanne (Mike) Shannon of Treynor, and Jerry (Sandy) Youll of Sac City.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren:  Nathan, Sarah, Brandon, Tyler, Jason, Dana, Brett and Kelsey, and nine great grandchildren:  Cade, Dane, Beckett, Michael, Sadie, Breckin, Hudsin, Lilly and Rory.

   Thelma taught her children by example.  She was a comedian, an optimist, and a philanthropist. She faced life and death with a head-strong attitude.  She was stubborn only after she thought through a situation and was certain of her decision. She was self-motivated and continually set high goals for herself.  She laughed easily, but thought deeply.

   In lieu of flowers, pay it forward.  Do an act of kindness anonymously.  She would like that.

   Memorials may be directed to the family.  All memorials will be directly assisting visually-impaired children as per Thelma’s wishes.