Theda F. Koerper - Slagle, 86, of Park Rapids, MN died on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids.
Theda was born on September 18, 1919 to Clara and Bill Huddleston in Wichita, Kansas. She attended school in Wichita and Long Beach, California. She married Daniel Kosmider in 1935 and they had one son, Gary, born in 1937. Daniel was killed in World War II in 1942.
She married Donald E. Jones in1945 in Wichita and they had two sons, Lowell "Lanny" and Scott. They moved from Eureka, Kansas to Park Rapids in 1961. She lived here the rest of her life except for many winters in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Theda married Russell Koerper in 1966 and they lived on Potato Lake until his death in 1984. During this time, she started painting and was a very talented artist, winning many con-tests. She loved painting portraits, especially of Native Americans.
She married Albert Slagle in 1989. She had known Al many years before, when they both lived in Kansas and they met again after both lost their spouses. They had a wonderful love for each other and shared 17 years together. They both were involved with the founding, planning and building of the Headwaters Animal Shelter in Park Rapids. They have continued to be supportive of the Shelter.
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She is survived by her husband, Al Slagle of Park Rapids, MN; sons, Lanny (Sandy) Jones; Scott Jones, both of Park Rapids, MN; step-daughter, Pam (Frank) Cox of Santa Barbara, CA; grandchildren Leslie (Scot) Miller, Jon (Allison) Kos-mider, Dawn (Jason) Durham-Pappas, Douglas (Lisa) Jones, Scott (Kristine) Jones, Laurel Jones. She also has 19 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Ret. Col. Gary L. Kosmider and his wife Mary, parents and sister Alberta Cook.
Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN. Pastor Donald Bird will be officiating. A lunch reception will be held at the church fellowship hall.
Inurnment will follow at Lake Emma Cemetery near Emmaville, MN.
Memorials preferred to Headwaters Animal Shelter or St. Joseph's Hospice.
