Thelma L. Gesling

Thelma Louise Gesling, 91, of Monrovia was received into heaven on July 31st surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late James O. Gesling who preceded her in death on July 30, 1978.

Born July 17, 1932, in her family’s farmhouse in Glasgow, MO, she was the daughter of the late Herman Yaeger and Anna Jewell Yaeger Rose.

After graduating from Moberly Area Junior College, she was a teacher for two years before completing her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, MO. She met the love of her life while in college, married after graduation and began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse, “Number 7,” in Middle Grove, MO. Her last day of teaching was the day her first child was born. Over the next seven years, there would be three more children and moves to four cities to support her husband’s career.

Her entire life was devoted to raising a family and building a loving, Christian home where everyone was welcome. In 1978, her life changed dramatically with the passing of her beloved husband, Jim, whom she referred to as Sweet Babe. Her Christian faith gave her the strength to continue their vision of guiding and providing opportunities, opening her heart and home to many.

She was a member of the New Market United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and United Methodist Women’s President. She held many of the same roles at Montgomery United Methodist Church, including Youth Group leader with her husband.

Surviving are four children, Jim Gesling and his wife, Lori of Madison, MO, Debbie Duncan and her husband, Greg of Woodsboro, Mike Gesling and his wife, Karen of the Kansas Flint Hills, and Susan Summers and her husband, Tim of Monrovia; and “bonus daughter” Nancy Hood of Libertytown; 12 grandchildren, Jenny Truesdell and husband Bryan, Jimmy Gesling and wife Jayci, Clint Gesling, Caleb Gesling, Jeremy Blickenstaff, Amy Lyons and husband Matt, Cody Blickenstaff and wife Christine, Kobe Duncan, Gus Gesling and wife Kelsey, Jake Gesling, Tim Summers and wife Kelsey and Luke Summers; 10 great grandchildren, Wyatt and Garrett Truesdell, Micah, Ainsley and Gideon Gesling, Dakota Lyons, Brody Blickenstaff, Gage, Grayson and Annaliese Gesling; and two sisters, Gerry Petersen of Centerville, OH, and Ruth Gritton of Mexico, MO.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her younger brother, Eddie Gene Yaeger.

Many thanks for the love of her special friends, Rev. Galen and Carolyn Menne, Mary Lou Bernota and Carolyn Geary.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday, August 4, at Montgomery United Methodist Church, 28325 Kemptown Road, Damascus. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 5, at the church. Interment will be held in Montgomery United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery United Methodist Church for the outdoor chapel created in memory of James O and Thelma Gesling at 28325 Kemptown Road, Damascus, Maryland 20872 ; or the New Market United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 111, New Market, Mayland 21774

Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website at molesworthwilliams.com

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