Robert Thielen

Funeral Service for Robert Thielen, 87, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert's Grandchildren. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Visitation will be held Friday, July 31st from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service at the Ranney Funeral Home in Wheaton. Robert Bob Thielen was born on October 12, 1921, to Hubert and Mae (Johnson) Thielen in St. Cloud, MN. Bob was the second of five children; the first son. He had three sisters (Hope, Marguerite Peggy and Ruth) and one younger brother (William Bill ). Bob married Margaret M. Fritz on September 4, 1948. Together they had three sons (Robert J., John P., and Paul W.) and two daughters (Terry A. and Charlet M.). Bob and Margaret raised their five children in St. Cloud. Bob grew up in St. Cloud, graduating from Tech High School in 1939. He participated in the city recreation program in baseball and softball. Bob served in the Military and received a medical discharge in 1942. He worked for the Great Northern Railroad, the St. Cloud Fire Department, Lakeland Bakery, and retired after 27 ½ years from DeZurik Corporation in 1983. Bob was a true family man. His activities and interests revolved around spending time with and for his family. Both he and Margaret were very active at St. Anthony School where their children attended elementary and junior high. Bob served as President of the Home and School Association. He was active in the school's Do Dads group, an organization that did repairs in the school. Eventually the group became known as the Do Grandpa's. Bob was always the master at fixing just about anything. It was a well-known fact that if Bob couldn't fix it, no one could. Bob and Margaret always enjoyed spending time with their grown children and watching their grandchildren grow up. They have been active grandparents, attending school activities, sporting events, graduations, weddings and various other milestones. Bob is survived by his Wife of 60 years, Margaret; Children: Robert (Susie) of New Brighton; Terry Mac Donald (John) of Lino Lakes; John (Meg) of Eagan; Charlet Mahs (Jay) of Bemidji; Paul (Leah) of Wheaton; Grandchildren: Tricia, Joe and Mike Mac Donald; Beth (John Secord) and Jill Thielen; Jenna and Alex Mahs; Brita, Sam, Callie and Matthew Thielen; Step-grandchildren: Alana, Seamus and Erin McDevitt; Brother: William Bill (Dolores); Brothers-in-law: Louis and Richard Fritz; Sisters-in-law: Dorothy Schmidt, Grace Fritz; And many nieces and nephews Bob was preceded in death by his Parents Hubert and Mae Thielen; Sisters: Hope Sefkow, Marguerite Peg Goranson, Ruth Emslander; Daughter-in-law: Kimberly Thielen; 10 Brothers-in-law and 7 Sisters-in-law. We will miss Bob, our husband, dad, grandpa, mentor and friend. We will miss his sense of humor, his special version of songs and one-liners. Thanks for always being there for us!