This precious heart quit beating on Thursday morning, Feb. 9, 2023. Althea Ann Whade was born May 27, 1927 at their Clay County home to Rudolph and Flavilla (Jones) Whade. She grew up on the family farm, attended country school and graduated from Linn Grove High School. She moved, seeking adventure, to Des Moines, where she found work with the Department of Health. There she met Frank Sedlock. They were married on Sept. 20, 1947. Continuing their lives together, they lived in Spencer and Cherokee before settling in Emmetsburg in 1961.
They raised their four children in Emmetsburg and owned and owned and operated Sedlock Home Furnishings. From the furniture store and later from her home, Althea designed and sewed custom draperies.
Althea was known for her adept sewing abilities. By way of her sewing machine, she clothed her children with these talents. They understood the love that was sewn into each item she created. Emmetsburg is a community that Althea deeply cared about. She was a 4-H leader and member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She enjoyed being a member of the red hat, sewing, bridge, golf, and couples clubs.
After Frank’s death in 2012, she moved to Northfield, MN, to be near her daughter, Libby Behrens and her family. She made her home at Millstream Commons and Northfield Hospital-Long Term Care where her life was further enriched, and she was lovingly cared for.
Each of her homes were a place of deep love and gatherings of family and friends. Through her lifetime, she showed humility, hard work, determination, and her great love of Jesus. Althea was a treasure and will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her children, Sharman (Jim) Haywood of Fort Collins, CO, Steve Sedlock of Fort Collins, CO, Libby (Ryan) Behrens of Northfield, MN, and Gretchen (Steve) Sims of Fairview, TX, seven grandchildren, Anne (Jeff) Brennan, Katie (Ryan) Fitzpatrick, Amy (Fred) Sproat, Dan (Ellen Roos) Behrens, Ellen Behrens (Adam Jaspersen), Allison (Jake) Jamison, and Matthew Sims; seven great grandchildren, Emmet, Althea, Joe, Annie, Hank, James, and Ingrid; and a sister-in-law, Cheryl Whade of Milford. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; and four siblings, Enid (Dave) Wortman, Arvid Whade, Doris (Dale) Foell, and David Whade.
Services will be held this summer at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Interment will be in Northlawn Cemetery in Spencer.
