John Thielen
1938-2018
John “Jack” G. Thielen age 79 of Park Rapids, Minnesota passed away at C.H.I. St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids on July 13, 2018. Jack was born on December 17, 1938 the son of Howard and Dorothy (Jansen) Thielen in Granite Falls. He was raised and attended school in Sacred Heart. He worked on the Milwaukee Railroad at the age of 14 with his dad and brother Don.
He found the love of his life, when she walked through a classroom door. He said, “she’s the one, she’s gonna be my wife.” Jack and Beverly Mae Tatro were united in marriage on August 31, 1957 at the United Methodist Church Parsonage in Akeley. From this union, they were blessed with two daughters and two sons. Jack served in the Army National Guard 175th Field Artillery Battalion as a Private First Class and was honorably discharged in December of 1958. He then served in the US Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in November of 1963.
Jack worked for area cattle farmers in the southern part of Minnesota. He attended Willmar Community College in 1965-1966 taking a Welders Combination Course. He was then employed at Rogers Hydraulics Victor Fluid Power in Granite Falls. He became seriously ill and had to leave his employment in 1973. He moved the family to the Nevis area in 1975. In 1990, Jack and Bev moved into Park Rapids, residing in Park Rapids until his death. Jack enjoyed traveling, woodworking, hunting and fishing. He had the experience of his life as he got to go elk hunting in Washington. Jack and Bev traveled the western states and wintered in Oregon and Texas. Jack cherished his family time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He devoted his life to his wife of 60 years until his last breath. He is preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Marjorie; brothers, Richard Thielen and Donald Thielen.
Jack is survived by his wife, Beverly of Park Rapids; daughter, Donna (Lynn) Jordet of Sacred Heart, son, David (Dixie) Thielen of Park Rapids, daughter, Jacqueline (Nick Rhodes) Thielen of Jordan, and son, Jeffery (Judy) Thielen of Park Rapids; grandchildren: Joshua Thielen of Illwaco, Washington, Cassandra (Corey) Hoium of Fargo, North Dakota, Miranda Kary of Illwaco, Washington, Travis (Kiley) Jordet of Sacred Heart, Amber (Shaun) Wolf of Rosemount, Stephanie (William) York of Akeley, Alicia (Robert) Welsch of Lonsdale, Brittany Becker of Park Rapids; great-grandchildren: Chandelle Thomas of Illwaco, Washinton, Hailie Egstad of Fargo, North Dakota, Annabelle Thielen of Illwaco, Washington, Tegan Jordet of Sacred Heart, Tyler York of Akeley, Addison Jordet of Sacred Heart, Madalynn Welsch of Lonsdale, Addalyn Kary of Illwaco, Washington, Caydence York of Akeley, Jayce Thielen of Illwaco, Washington, Dylan Wolf of Rosemount, Parker Welsch of Lonsdale, Adam Jeffery “AJ” Becker of Park Rapids, Paytn Welsch of Lonsdale, Alice Wolf of Rosemount; brothers: Howard (Mavis) Thielen of Granite Falls and Leonard (Barb) Thielen of Renville; sisters-in-law: Bonnie (Cleo) Lanning of Akeley, and Marlene (Jerry) Johnson of White Sulphur, Montana and Mary Lou Thielen of Nevis; brother-in-law: Harry Lecy of Akeley; and loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Wednesday, July 18 at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Nevis. Interment was at the Akeley City Cemetery.
Arrangements by Cease Funeral Family Home of Park Rapids & Nevis.Friends may leave online condolences at ceasefuneralhome.com.