Thelma was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma in 1936, to Frank and Annis Felkins. Thelma is one of 13 children. The family moved from Oklahoma to Kiowa, Colorado in 1943. Thelma was ten years old when her family left Oklahoma (1946) and moved to Elizabeth, Colorado.  She graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1955. After graduation Thelma moved to Denver and she worked at Hendrie & Bolthoff on 17th & Wazee as an Inventory Clerk. This is where she met her husband Don Cole. They were married in 1956 and they lived in Dupont, Colorado. Thelma and Don moved to 6850 Monaco Street in Commerce City, in 1972. Don was born at the Continental Refinery in the foreman housing. He worked at the refinery for 30 years and was on the South Adams County Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years. Don died in 1995. Thelma & Don have 4 children (Steve, Delores, Janice, and Annette), 11 granddaughters and 1 grandson and 16 great-grandchildren.  Don and their four children and the 2 youngest granddaughters are graduates of Adams City High School (Erin, 2012 and Lindsey, 2014).

Thelma is now retired. In addition to Hendrie & Bolthoff she worked at Stapleton International Airport selling insurance, Gerry Baby Products, sewing and assembly, the Pepsi Center and Coors Field as a Gate Agent. Currently Thelma has a part-time House Sitting Business. Thelma is very active in the community. Throughout the years, she has volunteered her time with the PTA organization and Den Mother for the Cub Scouts for Dupont school. Thelma loves to bowl and has been on 6 Bowling Teams, and she is very involved with the Commerce City Senior Center at the Recreation Center and is a Senior Advisory Committee person. Thelma is a founding member of the Commerce City Historical Society.