Maureen Thiel

Memorial services for Maureen Dawn Thiel of rural Staples, was held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at the New Life Church of God with Pastor Mark Brown presiding, assisted by Pastor Daryl Jacobson, chaplain at Lakewood Health Systems. Maureen passed away at the age of 65 years on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at her home in Moran Township. Maureen was born on October 11, 1946 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar to Bertus and Minnie (Bonnema) Van Heuveln. She graduated from Central Christian High School in Prinsburg and continued her education to obtain her nursing LPN. She was united in marriage with Gary Lee Thiel on January 21, 1967 at Prinsburg. Maureen spent many years helping organize and running the Bertha Community Food Shelf. She worked for Lakewood Health Systems—Home Health Care for 19 years, retiring in October of 2010. While with Lakewood Health, she took great pride in bringing relief of pain to her patients through her attention to foot care and helped start the foot care department. She was an active member of Hands of Fellowship, Homemakers Club and Young Co-op Group. She was an accomplished pianist and played piano and organ for the Church of God and the Crusader’s Group. She also taught piano for over 17 years. Maureen enjoyed bird watching, her music, reading, ceramics, playing cards, and cross-stitching. She was a wonderful wife and loving mother. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Maureen was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Minnie Van Heuveln. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Gary; sons Darrin (Donna Mae) of Eagle Bend and Kevin (Sharon) of Staples; daughters Kathy of Albany and Molly (Chad) Grewe of Albany; grandchildren Justin Thiel, Holly Thiel, McKenzie Thiel, Marly Thiel, Tyler Thiel, Allisa Thiel, Devin Guse, Derick Guse, Hunter Thiel, Lily Grewe and Alex Grewe; brothers Berton (Sandy) Van Heuveln of Elbow Lake and LeMar (Norma) Van Heuveln of Larch Wood, IA; sisters Wanda Kleinhuizen of Prinsburg, Donna Plowman of Prinsburg and Wilmette (Jon) Swanson of Lawrence, SC; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She is also survived by her cousin and special friend Judy Bonnema. Honorary pallbearers were Judy Bonnema, Linda Ward, Susan Thiel, Jeanne Voelker, Donna Kay Selvey, Mary Ward and Wanda Kleinhuizen. Interment was in the Moran—Germania Cemetery, rural Staples.

Maureen Thiel

October 11, 1946 - August 25, 2012