Joyce Thiel

Joyce John Thiel, 91, of Staples, passed away at Lakewood Hospital Wednesday, January 2, 2013. Services will be at 11:00AM on Monday, January 7, 2013, at United Methodist Church in Staples. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-6pm, at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, MN, and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Joyce was born May 9, 1921 along with his twin brother Gerald in Moran Township to Otto and Frieda (Pflueger). He attended country school and was later recruited by Lockeed Aircraft to work in California. At the age of 20, he enlisted in the Marine serving in the Pacific during WWII until his discharge in 1946. John married Eva Judd at Moran Germania Methodist Church On June 6, 1946. Together with his wife, they lived and worked in the area until 1957 when he bought her parents farm. He worked at the Ford dealer in Bertha and then spent 36 years working at Mueller Ford. He drove school bus before and after retirement until he was 72 years old. Joyce was active in numerous organizations throughout his life. He was Todd County Senior Citizen of the year, served on 2 church boards and senior center board. He was a life member of the car club displaying his Red 1954 Ford Convertible everywhere. (The only NEW car he ever purchased.) Joyce helped with the Food Shelf, was a RSVP driver. He was a life member of the VFW and was the head cook at the Friday fish fries. He served on the Riverside Cemetery Board and was also the cemetery caretaker.

Joyce will be sadly missed by sons Randolph "Randy" (Margaret) Thiel of Baxter, and Russel (Kathy) Thiel of Gillette, WY, 2 daughters Kathryn "Kitty" (James Olson) Tepley of Staples, and Debra (Ron) Pritchett of Park Rapids, Grandchildren Audra (Charles) Steffen of St. Michael, Scot (Cindy) Tepley of St. Cloud, Jacob Thiel of Fargo, ND, Megan Sample of Baxter, Alex Thiel of Fargo, ND, Emily (Dustin) Baird of Grand Forks,ND, Melissa (Nate) Sitz of Park Rapids, and Tyler LaRosa of Austin, TX; Great-Grandchildren Nicolas and Rachael Steffen; Natasha, Evalaine and Olivia Tepley; Quinn DelVal, Conrad Thiel, Ryden, Briggs Sample and Henry Baird. He was preceeded in death by his parents, his wife Eva, grandchildren Sarah LaRosa and William Thiel; Great-Grandson Anthony Tepley; 3 brothers Orville, Gerald and Robert and sister Roberta.