Obituary of Paula Lousie Tefft

Tefft, Paula Louise Midland, MI Paula Louise Tefft, 90, of Midland, died at her home at Riverside Place on March 9, 2016. Paula was the only child of Walter Guilford and Margaret Elsie (Wynkoop) Chase. She was born on Jan. 2, 1926 in Salamanca, N.Y. At the age of 5 the family moved to Wellsville, N.Y. and moved to Olean, N.Y. in 1937. She graduated from Olean High School in 1943, and then graduated from Geneseo State Teachers College in June, 1947. She married Thomas H. Tefft, April 7, 1947 when he came home from World War II. They moved to Ithaca, N.Y., where Tom went to Cornell University and she taught school. After Tom's graduation, he took a position at The Dow Chemical Co. and they moved to Midland. In 1951 their first son, Jeffrey was born, and in 1953 their second son, Scott was born. She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, was President of the United Methodist Women and worked on many activities. She enjoyed her Monday morning Bible study and the many friendships made there. Paula enjoyed water color and painted for many years. She was a member of the Midland Water Color Society and left many beautiful paintings for her family to enjoy. Paula was a den mother for her sons. As a family they were the "Scouting Family of the Year." While the boys were still home they made several trips out west to our National Parks. Paula served as a trail guide at the Chippewa Nature Center along with her son Scott. She thoroughly enjoyed sharing her love for nature with children. She and Tom enjoyed ballroom dancing and were excellent at ice skating couples dance. They were even in an ice skating show with both of their sons. In addition, she and Tom taught classes for the youth on Saturday mornings. After Tom's retirement they traveled the U.S. and abroad. They have spent the last 30 winters in Florida, taking in Elderhostel weeks on the way south and north. They attended Jupiter-Tequesta United Methodist Church in Florida and took trips with the seniors. Paula is survived by her loving husband, Tom and her two sons, Jeff and his fiancée, Debbie Kufta of Ann Arbor and Scott and his wife Linda of Midland; seven grandchildren, Chris (Emily) Tefft and Amy Tefft of Ann Arbor, Jeff (Kristianne) Tefft, Mark (Jessica) Tefft, all of Midland, Bob and special friend Sarah, of Mount Pleasant, Marcy (Chris) Tamez of Fort Worth, Texas, and Scott (Sara) Williams of Midland; 13 great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Charlotte of Ann Arbor, and Mark II, Maelyn, Michael, Mackenzie, Will and Kennedy Tefft, all of Midland, Elise Tefft of Mount Pleasant and Emmaline, August, Delia and Oliver Williams of Midland. As per Paula's wishes, she has been cremated and a memorial service will be held on March 19, 2016, at 10 a.m.. at First United Methodist Church, Midland In lieu of flowers, please consider 1st United Methodist Church. A special thank-you to Heartland Home and Hospice Care for the excellent care given to Paula and her family. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com Sympathy store items must be sent directly to the family home.