Raymah "Rae" Tjelmeland Obituary (1933 - 2014)

AUGUSTA ~ Raymah 'Rae' (Peaslee Hisler) Tjelmeland passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta on May 26, 2014, at the age of 81, after a long battle with COPD and asthma. Rae was born in Somerville on April 16, 1933, the only daughter of Marguerite (Peaslee) and Leonce Hisler, of Somerville. She graduated from Erskine Academy in 1951 and then went on to attend St. Mary's Nursing School in Lewiston and graduated with a diploma in nursing and became a licensed registered nurse. Rae met Kenneth Tjelmeland at a wedding of friends and later married in October 1954 in Austin, Texas. Ken was a member of the U.S. Air Force and they traveled and were transferred to many places over the 20 years of Air Force service including; Maine, The Philippines, Michigan, Florida, California, Hawaii, Alaska, Norway and many other states. Rae worked as a registered nurse while raising their four children, Kendra Balazs, Kim DeLois-Fannie, Kenneth Tjelmeland Jr. 'Kip' and Kelli Ditullio. After Ken retired from the Air Force, they returned to Maine and settled in Augusta for Rae's remaining years. Rae loved the ocean and lakes and many natural resources Maine has. She enjoyed her flower garden, watching and feeding the variety of birds including the turkey's that showed up almost daily during the cold winter months. Rae and Ken took long trips on their motorcycle, touring with the Shriners and friends exploring local towns, fairs and parades. Rae enjoyed her 10 grandchildren. She enjoyed teaching them her handiwork; sewing, quilting, crocheting and painting. She enjoyed the challenge of winning the various card games they played and she did. She enjoyed the water, lakes, ocean and pools and many of the family gatherings including water activities, walking the beaches, collecting shells and making sandcastles. Ken and Rae began to winter in Arizona in 1995, spending time with their daughter who lives in Phoenix as well as Ken's brother and sister. They enjoyed the warm desert weather and vegetation, continuous activities including golf, swimming, shopping, dancing and the change of scenery. Rae was an avid reader and enjoyed reading every night. She recently began to read and play games on a kindle, given to her by her son, and was pleased she was able to use the new tablet with little trouble assisted by her grandchildren, feeling younger than her age. Rae was predeceased by her parents, Marguerite and Leonce Hisler, of Somerville; Uncle Vaughn Peaslee, of Somerville; and Aunt Waneta Marsh, of Augusta. Rae was survived by her husband of 59 years, Kenneth Tjelmeland, of Augusta; her aunt, Ernestine Peaslee, of Somerville; her daughter, Kendra Balazs, of Phoenix, Ariz., her husband, Joseph Balazs, and her children, Hans Balazs and Stefani Balazs, of Phoenix, Ariz.; her daughter, Kim DeLois-Fannie, of Concord, N.H., her husband, Donald Fannie, and their children, Matthew DeLois and Heather DeLois, of Concord, N.H., Alissa Fannie and children Maggie, Cassie, Liam and Noah, of Concord, N.H.; and Jessica Cote, husband Marc and children Marc Jr. and Nathan, of Oakland; her son Kip Tjelmeland, of Windsor; and Diane Tjelmeland, of South China, and their daughters, Sierra Tjelmeland and Savannah Tjelmeland, of Windsor; her youngest daughter, Kelli Ditullio, of Waterville, and her husband, Mark Ditullio and children Jacob Ditullio, Bari Ann Ditullio, Benjamin Ditullio and Juliet Ditullio, all of Waterville. The family wants to thank the employees of MaineGeneral Medical Center for their exceptionally kind and compassionate care of their wife, niece, mother, nana and great-nana. The visitation and funeral services will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 209 Eastern Ave. in Augusta on May 28 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for the visitation and funeral service to begin at 1 p.m. with a reception immediately following the service. Those wishing to remember Rae may donate in her honor to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, building fund, Eastern Avenue, Augusta, Maine, where she was a longtime member of the church. Donations may be sent to 209 Eastern Ave., Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are made under the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, ME 04330.