Thelma McPherson

Thelma F. McPherson of Chadron, Nebraska, died on Wednesday morning, March 4, 2026, at the age of 95. Loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings, and too many friends. Thelma was born on a ranch outside Oelrichs, South Dakota, on November 13, 1930. She later boarded in Chadron, Nebraska, and attended Chadron Prep High School. She was the loving wife of Cliffton F. (Tex) McPherson from February 2, 1948, until he passed on June 1, 2002. She leaves three children, Samuel R. McPherson and his wife Nancy of Pinole, CA, Teresa R. Wilkie of Wilmington, NC, and Clifton F. McPherson and his wife Lorna of Motueka, New Zealand. Thelma was an aunt to Ronda Watt (and her husband, Brian) and Judith Novak. She was also a grandmother to Jeannie Wilkie, Tonya Wilkie Tillage, Marie Randolph, Marla Glass, Mitchell McPherson, and Sarah Gonzalez. She was also great-grandmother to nine. She went back to school in her late 30s, graduating with a BS in Accounting from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1973. She lived in South Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, California, and Luxembourg. She traveled the United States and the world extensively by plane, ship, bus, and RV, first with her husband and on her own after he passed. Thelma was an avid gardener and joined the Pinole Garden Club (PGC) in 1980. She remained a member of PGC for over 40 years, making many close friends and serving in many roles, from President twice to Parliamentarian in later years. She moved back to Chadron in July 2025 to be closer to her “home”. She loved this part of the United States and quickly made friends with several residents of Prairie Pines Lodge (PPL). She was grateful for spending her last few months with so many caring, warm, and wonderful people. Thelma loved her new friends, especially Dorothy Mohr, her daughter Jeanine, caregivers Melissa Martin of Noble Companions LLC, Laura McSwain, and Joelene Coble Lashley. She also appreciated the superlative care and help she received from her physician, Edward Pelton, MD, Chadron Community Hospital and Chadron Medical Clinic doctors, nurses, and support staff, and PPL manager Tim Frye and his staff. Her ashes will be interred at Oelrichs Hillside Cemetery in Oelrichs, South Dakota, on Saturday, March 14, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pinole Garden Club.