Thelma “T”‘s Obituary Thelma J. “T” Borresen, 88, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Wesley Woodlawn Hospital. Memorial Service will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, February 18, 2019, at University Congregational Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, C. Robert Borresen; parents, Edward and Anna Maria Jasper; siblings, Martha, Amanda, and Lawrence.
Survived by her son, Michael R. Meacham and wife, Vicky L. Triponey of Charleston, SC; granddaughter, Katie Palay and husband Dan; and great-grandchildren, Sydney and Max, all of Chicago, IL. Born on March 6, 1930, Thelma, grew up on the family farm in rural southern IL, graduating from Okawville Community High School in 1947. After graduation she worked at the Illinois Department of Public Welfare as a stenographer, then as office manager.
In 1956 Thelma left Illinois with her young son Mike to work for Olin Matheson in Hutchinson, KS before becoming a legal secretary to attorney Wesley Brown. She worked for Judge Brown as Chief Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court and continued as his judicial assistant when he was appointed U.S District Judge. She retired from that position in 1989.
Not ready to “retire” completely, she became the Executive Director of the Mid-Central States Orthopedic Society until she stepped down in 2013. In 1965, she enrolled in night classes at Wichita State University, receiving an Associate Degree, BS in and Masters in Urban Affairs. During her studies she met and married Professor C. Robert (Bob) Borresen.
As a highly organized person, “T” was active in a variety of professional and service organizations, including: being a charter member and leader of the Federal Judicial Secretaries Association and active member in Wichita Legal Secretaries. Community involvement included: WSU Women’s Association, Lambda Tau Delta (philanthropic sorority), Wichita Public Building Commission, the Wichita Child Guidance Center Advisory Board and Wichita / Sedgwick County Historical Museum. T and Bob traveled widely, visiting 49 of the 50 states, much of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Mexico and the Caribbean.
With a strong work ethic, Thelma was proud to be gainfully and steadily employed for nearly 65 of her 88 years. Also, she enjoyed working on her son’s political campaigns, doting on her granddaughter Katie, and later, her great-grandchildren Sydney and Max. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the: Thelma and C. Robert Borresen Endowed Scholarship in Psychology, c/o Wichita State University Endowment, 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260.
Arrangements by Downing & Lahey Mortuary – East.
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