Thelma Mae Bouton

Thelma Mae Cook was born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, April 4, 1926 to loving parents George and Verna Cook. She grew up in Steamboat, along with her siblings, Valene, Norma, and Vernon.

One of her fondest memories of early school days was singing in the choir. She enjoyed roller skating at her father's skating rink and also had fun riding horses. After graduating from high school, she worked for Ed Furlong, who owned a furniture and hardware store in Steamboat.

Thelma met her future husband, Keith, at a rodeo in Yampa. They were married November 2, 1947, at the Congregational Church in Steamboat. Keith's parents offered them one of their homes on the M.E. Bouton ranch. They worked at ranching and lived there for two years. Thelma loved this time in her life, as growing up on a farm, she felt at home.

Keith and Thelma moved to Denver so that he could finish his schooling at DU. They were pleased to become parents to three daughters.

Thelma enjoyed being a stay-at-home wife and mother. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, and embroidery. She was baptized on Mother's Day with her family in the mid-1960's. She was a faithful member of various churches until her health deteriorated.

Her family and home were very important to her, and she enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and seeing them develop into young men and women. She also loved spending time reading to, and playing with, her great-grandchildren.

Thelma was predeceased by her parents, her husband Keith of 57 years, her brother Vernon, and sister Norma.

She is survived by her sister Valene and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thelma is survived by three daughters:
Connie Hobbs and her husband Mike,
Karen Robinette and her husband Doyle
and Kristi Lafata and her husband Tony

She is also survived by six grandchildren:
Jason Hobbs and wife Lynne
Melissa Cooper and husband Greg
Sarah Tafoya and husband Stace
David Robinette
Monica Lafata
and Jordan Lafata and wife Serissa

Also surviving Thelma are her nine great-grandchildren:
Tyler, Jackson, Macrina, Caroline, Luke, Lexi, Harlow, Leiv and Delaney

She was blessed in recent months by the compassion and care of her dear friend, Coleen Reynolds, and many kind neighborhood friends.