Glenda Lois Thompson, 98, of Chamberlain, passed away on April 14, 2018, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were Monday, April 23, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain. Visitation was Sunday, April 22, also at the church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. 

Glenda Lois Senska was born April 20, 1919, in her aunt’s home in Letcher to Glen and Lura (Walrath) Senska.  She attended grade school at the Milwaukee School in Sanborn County and graduated from Forestburg High School in 1938. After high school, she attended Madison Normal School where she received her teacher’s certificate. She then began her 19-year teaching career and taught in country schools in Sanborn County, Jerauld County, and Miner County. During her teaching career, she would return each summer to her parents’ home.

On June 29, 1958, Glenda was united in marriage to Avery Owen Thompson at Artesian. They made their home in Chamberlain where they raised their family. 

Glenda was a member of the Woonsocket Lutheran Church in Woonsocket and  became a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain after she and Avery were married.  She was also a part of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and an honorary member in her later years.  She was a member of the Pollyanna and Hi-Five clubs.

Glenda and Avery spent their winters for eight years in Zapata, Texas, where they enjoyed the friendships of many people. 

In her later years, Glenda enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens Center in Chamberlain and then to the Regency Retirement Assisted Living to play bingo and visit with her friends.  She also enjoyed playing dominoes with her friends on Sunday afternoons. She was independent and drove her own car until this last fall when the weather became inclement and made it unsafe for her to be out and about. 

Glenda enjoyed doing embroidery work, which she learned as a child. She loved caring for her flowers and plants both indoors and out over the years.  She was lovingly known by her friends as the “African Violet Lady.”

Glenda is survived by her children, Sheila Thompson of Chamberlain, David (Linda) Thompson of Chamberlain, and Norma (Harry) DuVall of Casper, Wyo.; and two step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Avery; her parents, Glen and Lura Senska; and her brothers, Millard, Ed, Dean, Eldon, Boyd, Lynn, Donald, and baby Senska.