Thelma Nadine Moench

Thelma Nadine (Hilliard) Moench, 84, of Bainbridge Island died June 29.

She was born May 10, 1921, to John and Gladys (Davis) Hilliard in Estherville, Iowa, the fifth of eight children. When she was a very young girl, the family moved to a farm in Okoboji, Iowa.

Thelma attended a one-room school and graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1939. During her high school years, she worked for Berkley Fishing Equipment, in the owner’s home.

After the start of World War II, Thelma trained in sheet metal work. After her training, she came to Washington state with her younger sister and two other young women “to win the war.”

She went to work at the Naval Torpedo Station at Keyport in 1942, where she met her husband to be, Silven, in 1943.

They were married on Feb. 26, 1944 in Spirit Lake, Iowa. They made their first home in the Poulsbo Housing Project. After the war, they moved to Renton Highlands.

In 1949, they moved to Bainbridge Island to care for Silven’s parents, during which time she helped build their own home, from falling trees on the property to carrying lumber to driving nails. It is there that they raised their five children.

Thelma volunteered with the Helpline House from its conception. She was active in her church, singing with the choir, working in the office and serving with the United Methodist Women as an officer at several different levels. She was also a member of the Evergreen Singers of the BISCC, active in the Seabold Community Club and a member of the Bertha Rogers Children’s Hospital Guild.

With her husband, she enjoyed playing cards and other competitive games, taking cruises and traveling around the country with their trailer.

Thelma is survived by her husband, Silven and their children: Carolin Sue Adams (Howard), John Silven (Miki), Donald Richard (Sonya), Alan Thomas, Joanne Nadine Scott, 15 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, sisters, Joyce and Melba, of Iowa and brother Majel of Illinois.

Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 7 at the Stone Chapel in Poulsbo. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. July 9 at Seabold United Methodist Church, with a private interment planned.

Memorial donations may be made to Seabold United Methodist Church or Bainbridge Island Firefighters Club.