Thomas F. Thelen

PRIVATE Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud for Thomas F. Thelen, age 80, of St. Cloud, who passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at the St. Cloud V.A. Medical Center. Deacon Steven Yanish will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Parish Cemetery in Waite Park.

PUBLIC Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2021 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud.

Tom was born on March 2, 1941 to Benedict and Ledvina (Hahn) Thelen in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He grew up in Waite Park and as a young boy spent many hours working at his families’ grocery store, Thelen Grocery in Waite Park. He attended St. Cloud Cathedral High School. He honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1963 until 1965. He was united in marriage to Judy M. Neubert on May 30, 1967 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park. Tom worked for Master Bakery in St. Cloud, retiring in 2000. He was a member of the Waite Park American Legion Silver Star Post #428, the Moose Lodge #1400 and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park.

Tom was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved spending time with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, often taking them for walks to the Food and Fuel Gas Station to pick out a treat. Tom’s home was the center of action and was always open for hosting family get-togethers, weekend Hand and Foot card games with his sisters and sleep overs for his children’s friends and cousins. Tom also enjoyed going fishing with his wife, Judy. In 2013, due to health issues, Tom moved to the St. Cloud V.A. Extended Care unit, where he received excellent care from the staff and providers. The family will always be grateful for the loving and compassionate care they provided for the last eight years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Judy; children, Kristin (Jon) Deckard; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Thelen; grandchildren, Kalley, Ashley, Jackson, Makayla, Grace, and Avari; siblings, Vera Poston, Rose Mary Thelen, Paul (significant other, Jill Peterson), and Susan (John) Steele; sister-in-law, Alice Thelen and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, son, Bradley in February of 2013; brother and sister-in-law, Benedict (Joyce); brother, LeRoy; and brother-in-law, Larry Poston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.