The longest tenured NOLS employee and backbone of the Rocky Mountain Branch, Thelma Young, died at the Shepherd of the Valley Nursing home in Casper, WY, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999. She was 69 years old. Thelma had undergone by -pass surgery on Sept. 24th and was a resident in the nursing home for convalescent care. Memorial services were held in Lander on Dec. 3rd with a large gathering of family and friends.

Thelma was an innovator who had the knack to understand an idea concerning equipment and bring it to reality. Her early days at the school began in 1965 when Paul Petzoldt was looking for a seamstress and the rest, as they say, is history. With the abundance of outdoor equipment available today it may be hard to remember or even conceive of a time when there wasn't much available on the market. Students and instructors found their equipment in the wool sweaters and pants Grandpa had in his closet, or in military surplus outlets. What they didn't have, Paul Petzoldt and the early instructors invented. It was up to Thelma and her crew to sew it. Today many stories are told of the wonderful creations that came from the seamstress at NOLS. She produced the world-renowned Thelma Fly as well as a variety of equipment items from the first mummy sleeping bag to the Wilderness and Baja Tent; not to mention the countless attempts at making the first proven winter overboot. Imagine how many students began their experience at NOLS wearing a heart shaped wool butt patch on their pants sewn on by Thelma. I bet they got both the patch and a word of advice and encouragement at the same time!

Thelma was Paul's right hand lady tasked with providing equipment for the NOLS courses. She was responsible for all the gear. To do this she was running a large sewing operation with 8 seamstresses and several NOLS student hopefuls. Everyone remembers the first day they met Thelma. She made a distinct impression on everyone she met. Many have memories of Thelma, from being the sometimes-cantankerous seamstress to the loving mother figure. Thelma loved to read, loved her birds and loved her dog. She held many different positions at NOLS during her tenure, positions such as Outfitting Manager and Operations Director; but what Thelma did best was sew.

Thelma was never one to hold back her thoughts or opinions and she had a likable but spirited way of putting things, and people, in place. God forbid the instructor who brought their dirty gear in to be mended! The courses and the adventures bring fond memories for students and employees, but most look back at their experience and remember the unique sense of community and camaraderie. No matter what their background or where they came from, all came together for a common ideal. Thelma was the glue that kept it all together. Thelma loved her NOLS kids almost as much as her son's Clyde and Kenny.

Thelma will be missed but she will always be remembered.

More about Thelma Young

Thelma by Leslie Gnadinger, The Leader, Spring 1997.

In Memoriam, The Leader, Winter 2000.