Robert Thiel

Funeral services for Robert Royce Thiel of Staples, MN were held at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 28, 2011 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Staples with Pastor Robin Collins and Pastor Al Jeske presiding. Robert passed away at the age of 85 years on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at the Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples. Robert was born on June 2, 1926 to Otto and Frieda (Pflueger) Thiel in Bertha, MN. He was raised on the family farm and attended the Lone Birch School. He graduated from Staples High School in 1944. He married Donna Dubbels on July 30, 1948. Their union was blessed with five children. He continued as a proud dairy farmer on the family farm, as well as driving milk truck for the Bertha Co-Op Creamery, and later also worked as a seed corn dealer for DeKalb. Robert was baptized into the Christian faith at the Moran-Germania Methodist Church and later confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Staples. He was a church leader at Trinity Lutheran Church and served many terms as president, vice president and trustee of the congregation. He was a member of the men’s dartball league. In retirement, he was an avid woodworker, building furniture and toys for his grandchildren and neighborhood kids. Robert will be greeted in heaven by his son, Dr. Terrance Thiel; parents Otto and Frieda; brother Gerald; and twin sister Roberta. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna; children Lynnell Thiel of St. Paul, MN, R. Brad (Susan) of Lake Elmo, MN, LeeAnn (Jeffrey) Thimell of Golden Valley, MN and Ryan (Carolyn Petrie) of Minneapolis, MN; brothers Orville of Wheaton, MN and Joyce of Staples; grandchildren Heidi Boster, Paul Williamson, T.J. Thiel , Sarai Sharkey, Lauren Beitler, Zoe Thiel, Tristan Thiel, Cameron Beitler, Stephen Thimell, Salina Thimell, Griffin Thiel and Rowan Thiel; great grandchildren Brandon and Matthew Boster; and many other family and friends. He is remembered for a life lived honestly and decently. He was a loyal lifelong friend to many and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was hard-working in all of his pursuits and generous and helpful to his neighbors. Although he had a quiet, stoic demeanor, he had a dry sense of humor and a gentle sense of fun that was enjoyed by everyone who knew him. He was steadfast in his faith. He was accepting of all and his steadiness and trustworthiness made him a pillar of his community. He will be missed. Pallbearers were his grandchildren. Interment was in the Moran-Germania Cemetery at rural Staples.

Robert Thiel

June 2, 1926 - November 23, 2011