Alphonse Thelen

Alphonse A. Thelen, age 87 of Melrose, died on Thursday, August 5, 2004 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 9 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser and Rev. Julius Beckermann, OSB concelebrating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with military services by Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. and Knights of Columbus with St. Bernard's Society at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Alphonse Andrew Thelen was born August 18, 1916 in Melrose, Minnesota to John and Mary (Goihl) Thelen. He served for five years in the U.S. Army during World War II. Al was united in marriage to Jeanette Klapperich September 23, 1946 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose. He served as a U.S. Postmaster for 22 years in Melrose, retiring in 1976. Al was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, St. Bernard's Catholic Aid Society, Charter member of Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050, member of American Legion Post 101, 3rd Infantry Division Association, National Association of Public Employees and Retired Postmasters Association. Al was a handyman and enjoyed woodworking as well as fishing and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Thelen of Melrose; children, Tom Thelen (Ann) of St. Paul, Charles \Chuck\" Thelen (Janet) of St. Joseph