Jerrold “Jerry” Thelen was born on July 11, 1941, to Hubert and Naomi (Clobes) Thelen in Great Bend, Kansas, and passed away Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Columbus.
The family moved to Shelby in 1946. Growing up, Jerry was active in many sports and the Boy Scouts. Jerry, captain of the football team, graduated from Shelby High School in 1960, where he met his high school sweetheart and homecoming queen, Carol Albers. He went to Norfolk Junior College on a football scholarship, and instead of going on to play football at Northern Illinois, he chose to marry the love of his life on April 4, 1964, in Shelby,.
Jerry and Carol spent the majority of their lives farming in rural Polk County, northeast of Osceola, where they raised their children. In 1990, they bought and ran CJ’s Cafe in Osceola. Jerry also worked at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Osceola as a maintenance technician. Jerry and Carol enjoyed card clubs with their classmates and friends and visiting with the many patrons of the cafe. They had many adventures on the farm, including taking care of numerous animals, including pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks, dogs, cats, and even a horse. In 2010, they both retired and built a new home in Columbus.
Jerry was a kind and gentle soul with a quiet nature. He was friendly and accepting of everyone. He was an avid sports fan and loved to play sports with his children. Always ready to toss a football around, whether at the lake or in the living room, Jerry always quarterbacked. Later, he was excited to watch his grandkids play sports in person when he could and via the internet in recent years. Family vacations through the years were recorded via a video camera set on the dashboard of the van (who knew he was ahead of his time with the dash-cam).
His photographic skills included taking pictures of beautiful scenery, but he would insist that someone stand in the center of the photo. He loved driving around town through the parks and taking in a random ball-game. When he could no longer drive the car, a little red scooter helped him still enjoy getting around town.
Jerry loved his family most but also enjoyed sweets, salsa and soft-serve vanilla ice-cream. Many people will fondly remember him and miss him dearly. Family left to cherish his memory are Carol, his devoted wife of almost 60 years; children, Sandee (Kurt) Kiesel of Wilber, Steve (Juli) Thelen of Columbus, Scott (Joanie) Thelen of Wilber, and Shon (Heather Hipp) Thelen of Fulda, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren, Sydnee (Kameron) Jauken, Savanna (Garrett) Epp, Sheyenne Kiesel, Konner Kiesel, Zach (Emma Lubker) Thelen, Mitchell Thelen, Claire Thelen, Sage Thelen, Stone Thelen, Star Thelen, Slate Thelen, and Steel Thelen; five great-grandchildren: Kade, Sophie, Grace, Jasper, and Sterling; brother, George (Cindy) Thelen; sister, Deanna Waller; sister-in-law, Gaylene Thelen; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Naomi Thelen; daughter, Stacey Thelen; brother, Benny Thelen; and brother-in-law, Larry Waller.
A visitation and Rosary will be Friday, Jan. 26, at Dubas Funeral Home in Osceola. Visitation will be from 3 – 5:45 p.m. with Rosary at 5:45 p.m. A Celebration of Life and burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg.
