Phyllis Thielen

Phyllis Thielen, age 95, died on Friday, January 10, 2014 at the Crosby Care Center. Private interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Brainerd, MN.

Phyllis was born October 6, 1918 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada to Henry and Edith (Harlan) Ellingson. Upon return to the US with family, she lived in McGregor and Hope, MN. She graduated from Ellendale High School and attended commercial college in Mankato, MN. For a time, she was Deputy Clerk of Court of Steele County. During World War II, she lived in Denver, CO and worked for Red Dot Oil and Continental Airways as an executive secretary. Phyllis was a devoted USO volunteer. On June 6, 1949, Phyllis married Clarence Thielen, a WWII USMC veteran and moved to New Richland, MN. In 1961, they moved to Aitkin. Phyllis was the Executive Director of the Aitkin County Housing Authority from 1979 through 1984. She retired in 1984 and moved to Fort Stockton, TX. In 1995 she returned to Minnesota and lived in rural Emily.

Phyllis is survived by sons, and daughter-in-law; Thomas and Richard of Austin, TX, Michael (Ann) of Brainerd; four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1993; brother Colonel Emery Ellingson USAF (retired) and sister, Jane Brady.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.