Kathleen Thiel Beck

Kathleen Marie Thiel Beck, age 85, of Appleton, passed away Sunday, February 24, 2008, at Franciscan Care Center, surrounded by her family. Kathleen was born on November 26, 1922 in rural Kaukauna, daughter of the late John and Josephine VanDeHey. She was united in marriage to the late Sylverious M. Thiel on June 23, 1943 and they celebrated 49 years of marriage. “Syl” preceded her in death on April 21, 1992. Kathleen was a member of St. Thomas More Church in Appleton. She worked at Sam Belinke's jewelry store in Appleton and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and St. Vincent De Paul. Kathleen was a member of the Lady Elks Auxiliary, had a lovely alto voice and was a snappy dresser. Kathleen's hobbies included singing, playing the organ, dancing, entertaining, bridge club, traveling, decorating, gardening and walking. Kathleen married Russell Beck on February 14, 1994.

Kathleen was blessed with the gift of music and enjoyed passing that gift on to her children. She was happiest when singing and continued to sing throughout her stay at Franciscan Care Center where she was known for her harmonies and her yodeling.

Survivors include her husband Russ Beck; two sons: Robert (Rhoda) Thiel and Gary (Bonnie) Thiel; two daughters: Mary (Jim) Roberts and Dawn (Kurt) Glaser; her grandchildren: Tammy (Paul) Young, Jeff Thiel, Robb Thiel, Todd (Julie) Thiel, Stacia (Todd) Keathley, Chad Roberts and his fiancee Liz, Dustin Roberts and his fiancee Ashley, and Ashley Roberts; her great grandchildren: Ryan and Patrick Young, Isabel and Josh Thiel, Harris Keathley, and Elsa Thiel. She is also survived by two brothers: Lloyd (Pat) VanDeHey and Conrad “Connie” (Dorothy) VanDeHey; three sisters: Majilla “Dots” Ambrosius, Marie (Dick) Reetz, and Therese Eiting; and a sister-in-law: Evelyn VanDenBrook. Kathleen is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Kathleen is also survived by Russ' family. They include his daughters Donna (Phillip) Gross, Charlene (Larry) Helminen, Susan (Michael) Henderson, and Barbara (Jerry) Schimmelpfenning and his sons Russell (Susan) Beck, Jr., and John (Janis) Beck, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Syl Thiel, a son Timothy Thiel, Syl's parents Nicholas and Rose Thiel, brothers Elmer (Mildred) VanDeHey, Roche (Arvilla) VanDeHey and Robert (Rita) VanDeHey; two sisters-in-law Pauline VanDeHey and Rosalyn (Hank Horn) Thiel, brothers-in-law Norbert Ambrosius, Harland Eiting, Franklin Fahrenkrug, Ray Jonen, Bob Frank, George VanDenBrook; a niece Jan Larue; and a nephew Bill Eiting.

The funeral liturgy for Kathleen will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1810 N. McDonald Street in Appleton with Fr. Gerald R. Falk officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:00 AM until the hour of the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Green Bay District at 2670 S. Ashland, #101, Green Bay, WI 54304 (online at www.mda.org) or the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Wisconsin Chapter at 2900 Curry Lane, Suite A, Green Bay, WI 54311 (online at www.alz.org). Please reference Kathleen Thiel Beck in your memorial donation.

The Thiel and Beck families would like to thank Franciscan Care Center for their extraordinary love and caring support for Kathleen.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
920-739-1231