Kay Thiel

Therese Kay Thiel, the daughter of Henry and Anastasia (Nolan) Thiel, was born July 19, 1936, in Graettinger, Iowa. Kay departed this life on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at West Bend Care Center, in West Bend, Iowa at the age of 80.

She received her education in the Ringsted Schools, graduating in 1954. Kay later attended Mercy Hospital nurses training in Des Moines, Iowa. Kay worked as a registered nurse in Ames, Iowa and Denver, Colorado. Kay later helped her niece in the flower shop in Graettinger for many years.

Kay was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Graettinger and the Rosary Society. In addition, Kay assisted with the grade school Religious Education program for many years.

Kay enjoyed raising flowers, often using them in bouquets for the church. In addition, Kay loved to decorate the church, especially at Christmas time. She was an expert at crochet and made many crochet items, including table cloths, doilies for gifts, and the cloths decorating the candelabra stands in the church.

One of Kay’s favorite pastimes was playing cards with her sisters and some of the nieces and nephews. Kay’s beverage of choice was Pepsi which she drank with a straw at any time of the day. She also enjoyed her road trips with her mom and sisters.

At holiday family gatherings a special treat was Kay’s spritz cookies which she took extra time to decorate. Some of the family convinced Kay she needed to make her special cookies at Labor Day, thus began another family tradition.

Often, Kay babysat for her nieces and nephews when they were small. She enjoyed the cute things they would tell her, and she was always very patient with them. Kay took care of her parents in their final days using her nursing skills.

Left to cherish Kay’s memory are her sister, Jeannie Thomsen; brother Charles (Pat) Thiel; brother-in-law, Lloyd Petersen, and also many nieces, nephews and their families.

She has been preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joleen Petersen and brother-in-law, Lawrence Thomsen.