Thelma Marie Van Arsdalen of Princeton died on Friday, Jan. 7, at the Morris Hall Skilled Nursing Center of Lawrence Township. She was 91.

Thelma was born in South River. She was the valedictorian of her graduating high school class of 1948. She remained clear-minded, with meticulous attention to detail, until her passing. She married Norman Charles Van Arsdalen in 1949 and the couple celebrated their 72^nd anniversary on Aug. 13. Her hobbies included bowling, knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint. She was an outstanding cook and baker, an unbeatable Scrabble player, and an avid reader.

She is predeceased by her parents, Louis and Ottovina (Nielsen) Svendsen. Thelma is survived by her husband, Norman Van Arsdalen, sons Keith Van Arsdalen and his wife Grace Van Arsdalen, and Scott Van Arsdalen and his wife Patricia Van Arsdalen. She is also survived by her sister Shirley and her brother-in-law Richard Pfaff and three nephews William, Jeffery, and Robert, and a step-sister Kathy Ziglier, her husband Fran, and family. She is also survived by her nephew John W. Osborn III and his wife Marion. She has eight grandchildren, Jennifer Van Arsdalen, Christine Van Arsdalen, Bryce Van Arsdalen, Leigh Manley, Jill Ferry, Kyle Van Arsdalen, Chase Van Arsdalen, and Mia Van Arsdalen, and many great-grandchildren. She dedicated her life to her family, was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed.

A private burial will take place in Princeton Cemetery 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m.