Thelma Delores Farrell, 88, passed away August 13, 2026, at the Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center in Sedalia, MO. Thelma was born at home on August 27, 1937, in Fairmount, MO, to John Rudolf Galatis and Ruth Ella (Hardin) Galatis. She was the fifth of five children born to this union.

She was united in marriage to Kenneth Lee Farrell on May 26, 1955. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in May of 2025.

Thelma attended schools in the Northeast area of Kansas City, including Northeast High School. She and Ken moved to California after their marriage, and in 1966, they started their own machine shop business. Thelma ran the office, and Ken ran the shop. In 1994, they moved their business to Warsaw, MO, ultimately selling it in 2011 after 45 years.

Thelma and Ken enjoyed camping trips to the Kern River and square danced for several years.

Thelma's father passed away when she was very young, but she longed to meet her father's side of the family. She and her sisters found them many years later in Turbigo, Milano, Italy. She learned to speak basic Italian before traveling to Italy to meet them, and she and Ken hosted the Italians on their visits to both California and Missouri.

Thelma loved being a mom and a grandmother. Her daughter, Tamara, was her everything! They made such great memories and shared so many experiences. They even went on a European vacation and toured 13 countries together. Thelma said it was the trip of a lifetime! Later, she became a "Gaga" (grandmother) - a role she cherished. From that point on, she devoted her life to her granddaughters. Whether it was trips to the library, vacationing to the Mall of America, or going to their many school activities, she was there for it all. She was then excited to watch her granddaughters become mothers to her five great grandkids. Family is, and always was, the most important thing to her.

In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, in March 2026, and all her siblings: sisters, Jacqueline Daniels, Lillian Pedersen, and Vivian Slinker; brother, Ralph Galatis; and all their spouses.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Tamara Kimball (Roger), granddaughters, Brianna Doyal (Terry), Valerie Foland (Novy), and Natalie Kimball; great grandchildren, Trenton and Ryleigh Livermore, Emery and Lydia Foland, and Roman Davis; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 9:30AM to 10:30AM on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, followed by the Funeral Service at 10:30AM at Rea Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Dave Jagemann officiating. Burial will be at Mount Washington Cemetery at 1:00PM.

Pallbearers will be: Roger Kimball, Novy Foland, Trenton Livermore, Brianna Doyal, Valerie Foland, and Natalie Kimball.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .