WILMINGTON — Thelma Victoria Blomquist Marttinen, 94, of Wilmington, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.
Thelma was born on June 27, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Arnold and Eliina Blomquist.
She married Raymond Waidelich in 1951 and lived in Brookfield, Connecticut until 1971. They had five daughters together. In 1971, Thelma moved to Wilmington, NC, married Asko Marttinen and had a son.
Thelma’s first grandchild gave her the name “Mema”. Throughout the remainder of her life, she was known to most people lovingly as “Mema” because she had a grandmotherly love for all.
Thelma enjoyed teaching reading in the New Hanover County School system for 40 years. But what she loved the most was her family and her church. She had a strong faith in God. In times of trial, she would profess to all that “I am not afraid. Jesus is by my side, and He will protect me”. As a lifelong member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, she faithfully raised six children with her cheerful spirit and forgiving heart.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her six children; Janet (Larry) Baysden, Donna McQueen, Jonathan (Jessie) Marttinen, all of Wilmington, NC, Carol Hett of Rocky Point, NC, Bonnie (Steve) Redinger of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Melody (Chuck) Hendrickson of Howard Lake, Minnesota; 38 grandchildren; 145 great grandchildren; and 14 great-great- grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by all of her siblings; her twin brother, Theodore “Ted” Blomquist, brothers Arnold Blomquist and Lars Blomquist, and sisters Naimi Berg, Estella Hendrickson, Esther Foster, Edna Blomquist, and Eileen Huegel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Castle Hayne with Wayne McBride and Robert Erkstam officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Wilmington. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Friday, January 31, 2025, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home in Wilmington.
