Thelma Bullock Ernst

Thelma Bullock Ernst, 92, of Gothenburg,NE , died April 8, 2015 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Thelma was born on January 9, 1923 at Elwood, NE to James Lincoln and Maggie L. (Cooley) Fair.

She was born on a farm south of Elwood, which the family lost during the great depression.  They later moved to Lexington where she was baptized on June 12, 1932 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lexington, NE.  She graduated from Lexington high school in 1941. She met Glen Bullock at the Dawson County Fair following graduation.  She followed Glen to California and caught up with him in Las Vegas, they were married early in the morning on January 25, 1942.  They went on to California where Glen was drafted into the Army, he then spent 3 years in South Pacific.  Thelma returned to Lexington and worked for an accountant.

After the war, Glen and Thelma returned to California where they owned and operated a dry cleaning store right next to the Santa Anita Race Track.  After being married for 11 years, they finally had their first son.  They actually were about to adopt a daughter until Thelma became pregnant.  Glen B. Bullock Jr. (Chip) was born on February 17, 1953.  Glen and Thelma came back to Nebraska to operate Lexington Laundry and Dry Cleaners with her sister and brother-in-law. In 1957 they got an opportunity to purchase a Dry Cleaning Store in Gothenburg. On December 3, 1960 their second son Cort David was born.  They owned and operated Bullock’s Cleaners which they ran six days a week until 1982 when they retired. Glen passed away on April 25, 1990.  In 1991 Thelma found companionship with Dutch Ernst to which they enjoyed almost 20 years together.

Thelma enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, shopping and dancing. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Gothenburg and PEO Chapter AW also of Gothenburg.
Later in life you would always find her putting a puzzle together and working on a crossword puzzle every day.

One thing Thelma felt she was shorted was a middle name, she grew up just Thelma Fair when others always got to use a middle initial or name!  She always talked about that.

Even in her failing state Monday when her niece Micki visited with her about being ready to meet her maker Thelma told Micki “I am ready”  so we know right now she is dancing in heaven.

Thelma is survived by two sons: Chip (Donnis) Bullock, Broken Bow and Cort (Kathy) Bullock, Gothenburg; a brother Don (Joan) Fair, Wahoo; a sister Marge Woorley, Cozad; eight grandchildren; Brandon (Thelma) Bullock Brule, NE, Abby (Christi) Cameron, Gainesville, TX; Corrie (Scott) Klostermeyer, Omaha, NE; Tyler (Kortney) Bullock, Gothenburg, NE; Trent Bullock, North Platte, NE; Torey (Dustin) Walker, Gothenburg, NE; Cameron Bullock, Gothenburg, NE; Angella Miller, Gothenburg, NE; 10 great-grandchildren: Preston, Tucker, Patrick, Kailee, Codi, Kaidence, Karson, Cole, Maxwell and Natileigh.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Glen.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, April 9, 2015, 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. with the family present from 5-7.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Friday, April 10, 2015 at 11:00 am with Pastor Joel Plisek officiating.

Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Ave, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department, 602 Tenth Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138.