Thelma Mary Schwarting

RAPID CITY -- Thelma Mary Schwarting, 85, Rapid City, died, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000, at a Rapid City Nursing Home.

She was born April 30, 1915, in Peterborough, England, to Ernest Barrett and Loule (Dales) Barrett. Thelma attended public schools in Peterborough and graduated from Royal College of Music, London, in 1939. She married Marvin John Schwarting in 1944 at Netley Abbey, South Hampton, England. They moved in 1946 from England to a ranch at Batesland, S.D. They then moved to a farm in Michigan and in 1952 to Rapid City.

Thelma taught music in both private and public schools in England before coming to the States. In 1952, she opened and operated a private piano studio and taught for more than 40 years. She was a founding member of Bible Fellowship Church in Rapid City, and taught Bible studies and played piano at many events and nursing homes. Thelma was member of National Guild of Piano Teachers, Music Teachers Association, Red Cross Grey Ladies, RSVP Q Canyon Lake Seniors Citizen Center and Minneluzahan Senior Citizens Center.

She was appointed adjudicator to judge piano students for the National Guild of Piano Teachers for more than 20 years, traveling to many states. Her love of Christ was her mission in life to serve him.

Thelma is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Norman Carlevato, El Segundo, Calif.; sons Robert and Philip Schwarting, Rapid City, grandson Dr. Nicholas Carlevato, his wife Carmen; and great-grandchildren Nicole, Katie, Christopher and Zachary, Carson City, Nev.; grandson Michael Carlevato, his wife Jenny, and great- grandchildren Kayla and Stephen, Knoxville, Tenn., and granddaughter Angela Carlevato, Dillon, CO.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, in 1986, and a daughter, Beverly Ann, in 1949.

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 26, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Behrens Mortuary in Rapid City, and one hour before services at the church on Friday.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Bible Fellowship Church in Rapid City, with the Rev. Dick Nickel officiating.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Bible Fellowship Church in Rapid City.

Behrens Mortuary in Rapid City in charge of arrangements.