Editor’s note: The following release was created through the submission of current Wilton Candy Kitchen owner Lynn Ochiltree.
Thelma J. Nopoulos began working at the Candy Kitchen when she was 10 years old. She continued to be a fixture at the historic business for more than 73 years, retiring in 2015 after the death of her husband, George.
Thelma died Wednesday afternoon, April 29, at the Wilton Retirement Community. She was 88.
She was a tireless promoter of the Candy Kitchen and her hometown of Wilton. She was tenacious and charming in her work to put both on the map. Upon entering the Candy Kitchen, you would often find her dressed in a signature red blouse and cameo brooch. She was quick with “Hello” and “make sure to sign our guest book.”
Her love of her life’s work was obvious as she entertained and treated customers to long-standing ice cream and soda fountain favorites. Mostly, she loved to tell the story of the Candy Kitchen, a turn of the century soda fountain with history dating back to 1860.
Actors Gregory Peck, Brooke Shields and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg are among some of the many famous visitors. Several politicians visited the historic landmark over the years, including Republican presidential candidates and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who made several visits during his tenure.
It was, however, the eight generations of customers who frequented the Candy Kitchen that she was most proud of.
Thelma and George were named in 2003 the first Official Lifetime Ambassadors of the city of Wilton and she published a history of Wilton entitled, “Our Town Speaks, Wilton, Iowa 1855-2005” which debuted in 2005 to coincide with the celebration of Wilton’s 150th Anniversary.
Thelma's father-in-law Gus, an immigrant from Greece, reopened a recently closed soda fountain in Wilton in 1910 which he renamed the Candy Kitchen. His son George and Thelma later ran it until George’s death.
Thelma sold the Candy Kitchen to Lynn Ochiltree and his wife Brenda in March of 2016. Eight generation of Ochiltree’s family has lived in Wilton, beginning in 1849.