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Swan-Law Funeral Directors

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Thelma Pinger Obituary

Thelma M. Pinger, 99, of Colorado Springs, CO, died January 8, 2015, at Memorial Hospital, a day after admission. Her wish was to die at the Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House, an independent senior facility without medical staff where she lived for more than 38 years. Her wish was fulfilled.

She was born November 23, 1915, to Guy and Helen Spear in Abbyville, KS. She was the second of six children. She witnessed both the Dust Bowl and Depression in KS as she grew up.



Following high school graduation, she entered nurses' training in Dodge City where she became a registered nurse. While working in Houston, TX, she made the decision to enter the Army Nurses Corp shortly after the US became involved in World War II. Thelma became a flight nurse assigned to the South Pacific. She tended the wounded soldiers on the planes as they were flown to the States.



Thelma exemplified "The Greatest Generation" in which she lived. As Tom Brokaw's book suggests she was born and raised in a tumultuous era marked by war and economic depression. She developed values of personal responsibility, duty, honor, and faith. She set an example of discipline, determination, independence, and success in her life and in her profession of nursing. She was a woman ahead of her time.



Upon discharge from the Army, Thelma attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and received a BS degree in 1949 in Supervision and Teaching in the School of Nursing. She was Supervisor of the operating rooms at the VA Hospital in Grand Junction, CO, for 27 years.



Thelma met Charles Pinger when she moved to Grand Junction; and they were married May 27, 1950. They had no children and were divorced in 1976. This is when Thelma retired from her nursing career and moved to the Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House in Colorado Springs to make it her new home.



She and her parents were strong advocates of higher education for both men and women. Thelma joined her mother's P.E.O. Chapter FA in Liberal, KS, in 1946. She transferred her membership to Grand Junction and then became a member of P.E.O. Chapter GV in Colorado Springs. She served as its president and was active in this chapter and at the Chapter House for many years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and sang in its choir. She loved music, and her travels took her to many countries around the world.

Preceding her in death were her parents and brothers Clay and Matt Spear and sisters Ernestine Porterfield and Veda Schwenke. Survivors include her brother Jim Spear of Huntsville, AL; sister-in-law Annette Spear of Annapolis, MD; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Thelma will be held on Wed., Jan. 21, at 3:00 PM in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church with a reception to follow in a social room there. A private interment will take place at the church immediately preceding the service. Swan-Law Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Thelma was grateful for her home at the Chapter House and her many friends there including the residents and staff. She looked upon them as her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House may be sent to 1819 W. Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. Memories of Thelma may be shared in the Guest Book on the Swan-Law website.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Jan. 13, 2015.

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2 Entries

AL

January 21, 2015

I enjoyed coming to the Chapter House for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners and listening to Thelma. My daughter who works there loved giving the ladies flowers on special occasions. Thelma was extremely special and she will be missed by all of us.
May the lord guide you in your next journey

kk

January 14, 2015

I am very sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. My heartfelt condolences to the family during this time of sorrow. (1Corinthains 15:26) (Isaiah 61:1,2) Please find peace in knowing that He understands your grief and He cares. 1 Peter 5:6,

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