Belvidere, ILThelma I. Vance, 97 of Belvidere, IL passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at Maple Crest Care Center after a sudden illness. She was born August 24, 1915 to James W. and Neva (Bridges) Morgan in Plankinton, South Dakota. She married Cecil Knauss on June 1, 1939 in Iowa; he died June 19, 1977. She married Earl Knauss in Belvidere on December 8, 1979, he died January 21, 1980; Thelma then married Clarence Vance on July 19, 1976, he died December 13, 1988. Thelma was employed as a telephone operator in Plankinton, S.D.; as a nurse's aid in California and at the Central Rubber Factory in Belvidere. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Belvidere where she was a member of Faith Circle.Thelma is survived by two daughters, Linda Nelson of Belvidere and Marsha (Leonard) Gomez of Lodi, California; two granddaughters, Norma Nelson and Avis (Craig) Stewart and three grandsons, Brad Jones, Bryan Jones and Bobby Jones; brother, Dale (June) Morgan; sisters, Imogene Bye and Harriet Glass all of Belvidere; and numerous Great-Grandchildren. Thelma is predeceased by her parents, three husbands, four brothers and two sisters.The family wishes to thank the staff at Maple Crest and Passages Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to Thelma.

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