Herbert Thelen

Herbert M. "Herb" Thelen, age 83 of Melrose, died Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 30, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Herbert Martin Thelen was born June 24, 1928 in Melrose, Minnesota to John and Mary (Goihl) Thelen. Herb served in the Navy at the end of World War II. On May 17, 1960 he married Adella (Mueller) Hinnenkamp at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Herb was a lifelong resident of Melrose and worked at West Kraft for over 25 years until his retirement. He was a past commander of the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 in Melrose and was a past commander of the sixth district. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, camping, and fishing, especially ice fishing. He loved being a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050, and the American Legion Post 101.

Survivors include his wife, Adella Thelen of Melrose; children, Doris (Glenn) Winter of Bertha, Jeanne Thelen of New Hope, Jan (Mark) Lefebvre of Clear Lake, and Jim (Lynn) Thelen of Centerville; grandchildren, Kristin, Rob, Jackson, Emma, Max, and Charlie; and great-grandchildren, Kailee, Vince, Claire, and Colton.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ed Thelen, Al Thelen, Clarence Thelen, Mel Thelen, and Ves Thelen; and sister, Tillie Poepping.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mark Lefebvre, Jackson Lefebvre, Glenn Winter, Rob Winter, Neil Thelen, and John Thelen. Cross bearer will be Max Thelen and scripture bearer will be Emma Lefebvre.