Thelma Marie Bellinger

Thelma Marie Bellinger, 93, of Lawrence, KS passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born December 26, 1930, in Arapahoe, Colorado to Roy and Musie Kibbee. Her family later moved to Lecompton, KS where she graduated from Lecompton High School in 1948. Thelma was one of seven children with an abundance of nieces and nephews, many of whom lived in the area. She enjoyed Kibbee family gatherings which always included plenty of food and lots of laughs.

Thelma was married to R. Dale Bellinger on May 5,1950 at Danforth Chapel. They celebrated 67 years of marriage before Dale died on May 3, 2018. They had three children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Thelma worked for many years for Dr. Richard Dunlap and many more years for Dr. Monte Belot before retiring. She enjoyed traveling and made many trips across the U.S. as well as trips abroad with her husband and good friends. Thelma loved spoiling her grandchildren, who have special memories of churning homemade ice cream, attending numerous downtown Lawrence parades, and decorating holiday cookies, a tradition that continued to later include their wife and fiancé.

Thelma was a member of First Presbyterian Church and lived at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor for several years following Dale’s death. She recently moved to Monterey Village where she enjoyed exercise classes, playing bingo and making new friends.

Thelma was preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers Kenny and Melvin, sisters Lois and Irene (Reenie), and her husband Dale. She is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Delfelder Hetzel, Mary Francis Soetaert, and sister-in-law Carol Kibbee. She is also survived by daughters Peggy Christian and Debbie Bellinger, both of Topeka, KS, and son Rick Bellinger (wife Laura) of Lawrence, KS, three grandchildren, Eric Christian, Ricky Bellinger (wife Maddie), Ryan Bellinger (fiancé Taylor), and two great grandchildren Austin and Natalee Christian.

A visitation is planned for Monday, July 22 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Warren McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. A private family burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.

The family would like to thank all those who cared for Thelma at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Midland Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Visiting Nurses Association of Lawrence, Midland Hospice Care of Topeka or the charity of your choice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.