Horak, Thelma L. Davis

Thelma L. Davis Horak, 90, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at the Vinton Lutheran Home, where she had been a resident the past eight years. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at the United Methodist Church in Brandon, with the Rev. Lanette Sue Van officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton, from 4 to 7 p.m. today.

Thelma was born Feb. 12, 1920, at Brandon, to John Lester and Lois (Bassett) Davis, and graduated from the Brandon High School in 1937. On Feb. 27, 1940 she was united in marriage to Harry Horak at Monticello, and the couple farmed and raised their family northeast of Vinton. Harry preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 2005.

Thelma was a member of the United Methodist Church in Brandon. In 1976, she served as the first and only female president of the Red Cedar Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. She served as treasurer of the Benton County Porkettes in 1977, was a lifelong member of the Sunshine Club and a lifelong supporter of the Bear Creek Church. Thelma loved the farm and gardening.

She is survived by her daughters, Shirley (Ross) Wiley of Walker and Lois (Michael) Jensen of Troy, N.Y.; her sons, H. Lynn (Charlene) Horak of West Des Moines and Mark (Suzzi) Horak of Fate, Texas; her daughter-in-law, LuAnn Horak of Vinton; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Harry, she was preceded in death by her son, Allan Horak; her daughter-in-law, Teri Horak; her grandsons, Joshua and Michael Horak; and her sisters, Charlotte Lehman and Isabel Applegarth.

A memorial fund has been established.

Condolences may be left at