Thelma Lucile Nauditt

Thelma Lucile Nauditt, age 95, died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane.

She was the daughter of Samuel J. and Anna Alma Doerschlag Potter, born April 15, 1916, in Buhl, Idaho. Her family moved to Danner, Ore., when she was four years old, where her dad drove a stage (bus) between Jordan Valley, Ore., and Caldwell, Idaho.

She and her mother moved to Caldwell where she started school and her mother ran a boarding house. It has been said she loved her dad very much and she was his little “Chick,” a name that stuck with her. Her parents divorced and her father passed away at age 47 when Thelma was 18. Her younger brother Sammy died at the age of five.

She graduated from Caldwell High School, moved to Sprague and enrolled in Moler Beauty School in Spokane. Later she moved to Ritzville to work in a beauty salon.

A new world opened up for Thelma when she attended a popular hot spot, Saturday night dances at Sprague Lake Resort, where she met Lawrence (L.C.) Nauditt. Friendship changed to romance and they were married April 12, 1936, in Sprague at her aunt’s home. Rev. E. A. Rein of Ritzville and Sprague Lutheran Churches performed the ceremony. She remembered her parents being divorced and the resulting deep heartache so she vowed to never divorce.

Expectations of exceedingly long hours as manager of the local Safeway store prompted Lawrence to quit his job and open his own store “Nauditt’s Service Grocery.” Before Pearl Harbor, men had been working in the store but when they were drafted into service she went to work herself in the store the day after Pearl Harbor and continued to work until age 70.

They loved working with people but after 47 years decided to sell the store. During those 47 years there were as many as 11 grocery stores and as few as one, Nauditt’s Service Grocery. Family was very important to Thelma and the love she gave leaves many warm memories to cherish. She wanted to live to see her family grow. This love carried over to young people in her community as well. She loved them all.

She was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, a 50-year member of Zenith Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Mother Advisor of Rainbow for Girls and Rebekah Lodge.

Lawrence and Thelma were honored to be Grand Marshals for the annual Adams County Fair Parade.

Thelma resided at Orchard Crest Retirement Community in Spokane Valley since August 2003. She was an avid sports fan of WSU Cougars football and basketball, Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball, horse racing, golf, Mariners and Seahawks. Her Orchard Crest friends knew she would be watching on TV leaving dinner early taking it with her back to her apartment. The staff helpers knew exactly where she was going. She did not miss many once a week grocery shopping trips on the Orchard Crest. bus. She enjoyed going grocery shopping, a different store every week of the month. Thelma always had groceries. She made new friends and valued those years of her life and the opportunities her new home provided.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years in 1992; her father, her mother and stepfather Roscoe Jensen, younger brother, and son-in-law Jerald Erickson.

Surviving is her daughter, Sharon Erickson of Spokane; son, David (Pat) Nauditt of Renton; six granddaughters, Sandy Patano (Dr Jack Riggs), Sue (Tim) Burger, Stacy (Rick) Duclos, Julie (Mike) Urevig, Amy Parshall, Nikki (Tom) Heinrich, and Mike Patano; 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were Nov. 14, 2011, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Ritzville, with Pastor Bob Kenyon officiating. Interment was at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church or Project 56 (funding for Ritzville High School track). Project 56, c/o Kris Harder, Leffel Otis and Warwick, 219 W. Main Ave., Ritzville, WA 99169.

Danekas Funeral Home & Crematory, Ritzville, was in charge of funeral arrangements.