Thelma J. Gonsales

Thelma Jean Gonsales of Gooding, Idaho passed away on the morning of March 4, 2026.

Thelma was born in Missouri on December 10, 1932. She moved to Gooding, Idaho with her family as a young child. She was raised by Floyd and Maude Bowman and grew up with her siblings; Eugene "Smokey", Otis, Mary, Wayne, Ethel and her twin sister, Wilma.

Thelma met Richard "Dick" Gonsales at Gooding High when she was 15 years old. These two got married the day after her birthday in 1949. After marriage they started a beautiful family, they went on to have 6 children: Ruth, Rick, Rita, Robyn, Randy and Rod. The family grew up in the country outside of town, and Thelma loved living the country lifestyle.

She drove tractor, milked cows, tended garden, canned food, sewed clothes, played the accordion, camped, fished, bowled, crocheted and baked daily. She did this until the end.

The family attended St. Elizabeth Church, where the kids were all baptized. Each Easter Thelma would hand make a new dress for each of the girls; this memory is something that Ruth, Rita and Robyn will never forget.

Thelma was fiercely competitive and known to win many games of Yahtzee against her kids and grandkids. Her competitive nature came out in a weekly bowling league, where she would meet with dear friends, play and perhaps talk a little smack.

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren knew her by many different names, Hotdog, GG, Muma, and Grammy Jammy. She loved all of these nicknames because it showed how much she was loved by those closest to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Gonsales; sons, Rick and Randy; and siblings, Eugene, Wilma, Otis, Mary and Wayne. She is survived by sibling, Ethel Ward; daughters, Ruth (Mike) Weems, Rita (Scott) Greenawalt, and Robyn (John) Fields; son, Rod (Mel) Gonsales; 9 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses with Heritage Hospice for all of their kindness and compassion.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Elmwood Cemetery, Gooding, Idaho 83330.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Thelma's memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.