Shirley M. Thelen

SHIRLEY M. THELEN

January 26, 1948 – February 20, 2019

                Shirley M. Thelen, age 71, a long time Park Rapids area resident, peacefully entered heaven’s glory on Wednesday morning, February 20, 2019 at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home after having suffered a stroke two years earlier.

                Shirley was born on January 26, 1948 in Park Rapids to Floyd and Vera (Tobias) Hagen.  As a small girl, she moved with her family to Buhl, MN where her father gained employment working in the iron ore mines.  She attended public school in Buhl, graduating from high school with the class of 1966.  On June 18, 1966, Shirley was united in marriage to Michael N. Thelen at the Our Lady Of The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Buhl, MN.  Their marriage was blessed with four children: Melanie, Michelle, Margie, and Michael Jr.   Shirley devoted herself to making a loving home for her husband and children.  She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade cooking.  Shirley worked selling Avon and for many years, she helped supplement the household income by collecting box tops & coupons and transformed her kitchen table into an executive office working hard to become the refund and rebate business mogul of Northern MN.  She also worked as a seamstress for Wringer Manufacturing, as a paraprofessional and substitute cook for Park Rapids Public Schools, and as a home health aid for Caring Hands Home Health Care.  For several years, Shirley operated the Headwaters Country Store and also worked at the Two Inlets Store.  She loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing and hunting with her husband and family.  In her spare time, she enjoyed working with handcrafts.  She enjoyed playing cards and always played to win.  She was a long time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets.  Above all, Shirley dedicated her life to her husband, Mike; her children and her grandchildren who she loved with all her heart.

                She will be lovingly remembered by her husband for these past 53 years, Mike of Savannah Township of Becker County, located northwest of Two Inlets; three children: Michelle (Jim) Witt of Osage, Margie Dahring of Osage, Michael Thelen Jr., of Savannah Township; dearly loved grandchildren: Shelby Thelen, Danielle Thelen and Michael Thelen III, Matthew Dahring and Dawson Dahring; her sister, Judy DeWandler of Rochester, MN; five brothers: Dick Hagen of Virginia, MN, Gary Hagen of Park Rapids, Ron (Rosemary) Hagen of Park Rapids, Mike Hagen of Chisholm, MN and Dale Hagen of Buhl; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

                Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter, Melanie in 2015; her parents; one sister, Connie Hagen and one brother, Bernie Hagen.

                Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, February 25, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets with Father Joe Hitpas officiating.  Interment will be made in the church cemetery.  Following the service a luncheon will be hosted by the St. Mary’s Parish family.  Visitation will be held at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 3 PM to 6 PM.  A rosary will be led by the Two Inlets Knights of Columbus at 5 PM.  Visitation will continue on Monday at the church beginning at 10 AM. 

To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com