Thelma (Sandwick) Laager, 96, of Bemidji and Laporte, MN, died Monday, April 30, 2012 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Laporte, MN with Pastor David Smith and Pastor Jarrod Norvold officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Kabekona, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

She was born on February 3, 1916 in Morris, MN, the daughter of Henry and Minnie (Strom) Durfey. She married William Sandwick in 1934, and together they had 3 sons. They moved to Laporte in 1943 and farmed until William’s death in January of 1962. In January of 1964 she married Fred Laager. They lived in Alberta, and Morris, MN, until his death in June of 1976. She moved to Bemidji, where she lived until she entered the nursing home in 2009. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Laporte, and Calvary Lutheran Church in Bemidji. She enjoyed volunteering at the church. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting.

She is survived by: Sons, Lowell (Jenny) Sandwick of Coon Rapids, MN, David (Valada) Sandwick of Bagley, MN, Don (Darlene) Sandwick of Lake George, MN, 10 Grandchildren, 21 Great-Grandchildren, and 5 Great-Great Grandchildren Sister, Dorothy (Don) Hemenway of Park Rapids, MN, Numerous Nieces and Nephews. Step-Children, Gerald (Kay) Laager of Morris, MN, Ethel Mae (DuWayne) Hallberg of New Hope, MN, Richard Laager of Crystal, MN, Sandy (Ronnie) Limmermen of Alberta, MN, Joyce Laager of Maple Grove, MN, Dean (Kathy) Laager of Ottertail, MN, Numerous Step-Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and Step-Daughter Diane Boldenow.

Casketbearers will be Thelma’s Nieces and Nephews.