Thelma Helga Saltsman

Thelma Helga Saltsman, 93, of Gainesville, FL passed away May 2, 2016. She was born May 21, 1922 in St. James, LI, NY to Aage Sidenius and Anna Eikefjord Sidenius. A former 50-year resident of Virgil, NY, she came to Gainesville in 2010 to live with her daughter, Suanne Knopf. She was a graduate of Smithtown HS, class of 1940 and A.S. Delhi State in 1942 with a concentration in Food Service.While working, Mrs. Saltsman was Food Service Manager for Stouffer's Restaurants in NYC, the Virgil School, Cornell Dining Services and the George Junior Republic.Mrs. Saltsman's interests were wide-ranged. She played in both golf and bowling leagues in Virgil and Dryden, NY for many years and was a volunteer at the Corning NY LPGA Golf Tournament many times. She was an ardent fan of both Cornell University and University of Florida sports teams, enjoyed cooking for large numbers of people, and wine tasting. Fiercely proud of her Norwegian and Danish heritage, she took her daughters to Norway and Denmark to meet distant relatives.Preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, John A. Saltsman in 1996, brothers Harold Sidenius and Aage Sidenius, she is survived by daughters, Suanne Knopf of Gainesville and Joan Oelschlager (Bob) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; son, John F. Saltsman of Binghamton, NY; grandsons, Craig Knopf (Destiny), Kyle Knopf (April) and John Oelschlager (Austin); great-grandchildren, Skylar Keller, Sophia Knopf, Caleb Knopf and Kendall Knopf.A Celebration of Life will be held at Northwest Grille in Gainesville May 14, 2016 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Delhi State University of New York, 454 Delhi Drive, Delhi, NY 13753-4454. Arrangements are in the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Gainesville, FL (352)378-2528. An online guestbook is at www.forestmeadowsfh.com. Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528