Thelma (Vance) Sawyer, 91, of Pawnee City, Nebraska was born on February 1, 1926, in Bassett, Nebraska to Harold and Blanche (Olson) Vance.  Her family moved to Pawnee City in 1938 when her father took over the position of Ag teacher at Pawnee City High School.  Thelma graduated from Pawnee City High School with the class of 1943.  She went one year to Nebraska Wesleyan University and then on to a lab technician school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After World War II, Thelma was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, J. Tom Sawyer on December 31, 1946 in Pawnee City.  The couple began their marriage by moving to New York City, New York where Tom attended New York University of Retail.  During this time, Thelma worked in a medical lab at a doctor’s office. Returning to Pawnee City, Tom took over the Sawyer-Barclay Clothing Company eventually owning and calling the store, Sawyer’s Clothing.  To this union three children Jay, Bob, and Ann were born.  Thelma was very involved with the lives of her three children and seven grandchildren.  She loved hunting quail, fishing, playing golf, and Nebraska football.

Thelma passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017, at her home in Pawnee City, Nebraska having reached the age of ninety-one years, two months, and fifteen days.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband J. Tom Sawyer, and brothers Bill and Alvin Vance.

Thelma is survived by children: Jay Sawyer of Holdrege, NE; Bob Sawyer of Las Vegas, NV; Ann Butler of Neal, KS; a sister Doris Dahlke of Ord, NE; one grandson and six granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 21, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Pawnee City, Nebraska with Reverend Sherry Sklenar officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at the Wherry Mortuary, 919 “G” St., Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment will be at the Pawnee City Cemetery.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Pawnee City SENCA or the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital.

Online messages of condolence can be left at www.wherrymortuary.com

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-919 “G” ST. Pawnee City, NE (402) 852-2387