March 28, 2024

Norbert Richard Thelen Anita

Norbert R. Thelen, 79, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Norbert was born April 3, 1935, in Carroll County, Iowa, to Sylvester J. and Mathilda E. (Neuerburg) Thelen. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Carroll County. After 8th grade, he farmed with his family due to the death of his father. Norbert was married to Virginia Louise Hugeback on August 10, 1957, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Carroll, Iowa. He joined the Army in 1958. After serving, he owned and operated a Standard Oil gas station in Carroll, Iowa, for many years.

He and Virginia were blessed with the births of six children while living in Carroll. In January of 1970, he moved with his family to the farm in Anita, Iowa. He loved farming, the outdoors, fishing, old cars, playing cards, going to the casino and most of all spending time with his family and friends. Norbert attended hundreds of his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed many vacations to different parts of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. During 2014, he and Virginia spent several weeks touring both the east and west coasts of the United States.

Norbert was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anita, IA, a former 4-H leader and former board member of the Anita Co-op and ASC.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Louis and Marie Hugeback; sisters, Linda Hoffmann and Marcile Hoffman; brother, Gerald Thelen; siblings Victor, Melvin and Dorothy Thelen all in infancy; sisters-in-law, Marleen Thelen, Donna Thelen, Mavis Thelen, Laura Schirck, Jan Hugeback, Mary Ann Hinners and Shirley Hugeback; brothers-in-law, Alfred Hoffman, John Hoffmann, Virgil Hugeback, Al Hinners, Clifford Hugeback and Earl Schirck; and other relatives.

Norbert is survived by his wife, Virginia of Anita, IA; daughters, Jean (Jeff) Gregersen of Anita, IA, Mary (Mark) Miller of Altoona, IA, Jacquie (Terry) Aupperle of Wiota, IA; sons, Richard (Jennifer Parker) Thelen of Lenox, IA, Randy (Dee Montchal) Thelen of Creston, IA, and Mark (Christy) Thelen of Kellogg, IA; grandchildren, Lindsay (Aaron) Schwarte, Brandon (Mallory) Gregersen, Matt Thelen, Curt Thelen, Alan Miller, Amanda Miller, Kyle Thelen, Maggie Thelen, Brooke Thelen, Nate Thelen, Nick Thelen, Ryan Aupperle, Katie Aupperle and Sidney Aupperle; great-grandchildren, Anna Schwarte, William Schwarte and Brody Gregersen; brothers, Norman Thelen, Eugene (Kay) Thelen, Sylvester (Kay) Thelen, Ralph Thelen and Lawrence (Cecelia) Thelen; sisters, Mary Ann (Allan) Ludwig and Lynette (Mike) Schaffer; brother-in-law Merlin (Butch) Hugeback; sisters-in-law, Florence Thelen and Nancy Hugeback; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation with family will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 28, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anita, IA, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, IA.

Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.