
June 1911 – February 21, 2010
Thora Lindblom, 98, of Modesto, passed away at Avalon Care Center in Modesto on Sunday, February 21st. She was born in Nephi, Utah to James and Abigail MacFarlane in 1911. She married Hosmer Dean Fenn in 1932, Norman Wilder in 1940, and Kermit Lindblom in 1955. She was preceded in death by her late husband Kermit Lindblom in 1998 after 43 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her son Ray Earl Fenn Wilder in 1986, and by two siblings: Jim MacFarlane and Marie Cloward.
Thora’s early career was as a Professional Photographer. She and her husband owned and operated Lindblom Photography in downtown Turlock for over 35 years. She was active in the Professional Photographers Association of California and her photographs graced the walls of many exhibitions in Turlock and the surrounding area including the Stanislaus County Fair. After retiring from Professional Photography, she became the founding Curator for the Carnegie Center and continued to promote the arts in Turlock for many years. In fact, she helped with judging the Christmas displays in Turlock. She was also invited by the Smithsonian to travel to the Yucatan at age 70 to help test film for Kodak. She was a member of the L.D.S. Church and was twice named “Woman of the Year”: by the Soroptimists and by the Turlock Chamber of Commerce.
Thora is survived by her daughter Lynnette Drake of Modesto, a sister Elizabeth DeBrouwer of Modesto, seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Memorials may be considered for Community Hospice of Modesto.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Allen Mortuary on Saturday, March 13th at 3:00pm followed by a private burial at Turlock Memorial Park.
Greetings! My father, Jim Whitley was in WWII. He had a lovely photo of himself and 2 young boys, stamped on the back of the aged photo was Kermit Lindblom Photographer. Woh, I didn’t know Daddy came to California. Life is funny, I looked up this name and a lot of infro. is available. To love someone is to touch someone. I have been touched by my fathers photo. I love Lindblom studios!