Kenneth Thielen
February 12, 1935 — May 6, 2019
Kenneth Louis Thielen, son of Bernard Joseph and Viola Crescentia (Stoll) Thielen, was born February 12, 1935 in Kirkman, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. He attended grade school at Polk Township #9 Country School, Park Elementary and junior high and high school at Harlan Community School. After high school, he attended Auctioneer School and became a Colonel, which became a lifelong career along with cattle buying.
On May 24, 1954, Ken was united in marriage to Patricia Joan Schell at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. They were blessed with eight children: Dan, Tony, Mark, Dean, Tim, Prudy, Jane, and Katy.
Ken enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing and playing golf. He also enjoyed being around people and socializing, playing a game of cards and spending time with friends. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family who he treasured the most. He never missed his children’s sporting events.
In September of 2011, Ken and Patricia retired to Maricopa, Arizona. His recent illness brought him back home to Harlan to live with his daughter Jane, so he could spend time with family and friends. Ken died on Monday, May 6, 2019 in Harlan, Iowa, attaining the age of eighty-four years, two months, and twenty-four days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Maxine Thielen.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years Patricia Thielen of Maricopa, Arizona; children Dan Thielen, Tony (Jackie) Thielen of Omaha, Nebraska; Mark Thielen of Reno, Nevada; Dean (Pam) Thielen of Elkhorn, NE; Tim (Ling) Thielen of Golden City, Missouri; Prudy (James) Macheledt of Otsego, Minnesota; Jane (Joe) Klein of Harlan, Iowa; Katy (Andy) Moenkedick of Perham, Minnesota; 18 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; siblings Bernie (Agnes) Thielen of Huntington Beach, California; Alice Ann Thielen of New York, New York; Gary (Gail) Thielen of Pullman, Washington; brother-in-law Galen “Red” Sorenson of Harlan; other in-laws; nieces and nephews and many friends.
On May 24, 1954, Ken was united in marriage to Patricia Joan Schell at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. They were blessed with eight children: Dan, Tony, Mark, Dean, Tim, Prudy, Jane, and Katy.
Ken enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing and playing golf. He also enjoyed being around people and socializing, playing a game of cards and spending time with friends. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family who he treasured the most. He never missed his children’s sporting events.
In September of 2011, Ken and Patricia retired to Maricopa, Arizona. His recent illness brought him back home to Harlan to live with his daughter Jane, so he could spend time with family and friends. Ken died on Monday, May 6, 2019 in Harlan, Iowa, attaining the age of eighty-four years, two months, and twenty-four days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Maxine Thielen.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years Patricia Thielen of Maricopa, Arizona; children Dan Thielen, Tony (Jackie) Thielen of Omaha, Nebraska; Mark Thielen of Reno, Nevada; Dean (Pam) Thielen of Elkhorn, NE; Tim (Ling) Thielen of Golden City, Missouri; Prudy (James) Macheledt of Otsego, Minnesota; Jane (Joe) Klein of Harlan, Iowa; Katy (Andy) Moenkedick of Perham, Minnesota; 18 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; siblings Bernie (Agnes) Thielen of Huntington Beach, California; Alice Ann Thielen of New York, New York; Gary (Gail) Thielen of Pullman, Washington; brother-in-law Galen “Red” Sorenson of Harlan; other in-laws; nieces and nephews and many friends.
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