Leah O. Thelen

Age 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 1, 2004 at Peabody Manor. Leah was born in Menasha on March 9, 1917, daughter of the late William and Edna (Harwood) Trilling. As a young woman she graduated from the Menasha High School, and also worked for a time at the Banta Corporation. On May 2, 1939, she married Tony Thelen in Menasha; he survives. Many will remember Leah as a 40-year volunteer at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center in Neenah as well as the Neenah – Menasha Red Cross Blood Bank. She and Tony are former members of Ridgeway Golf Club where she enjoyed playing in her younger years; Leah also enjoyed socializing with friends, piano music, flower gardening, and traveling around the world with Tony.

Leah is survived by her husband of 65 years: Tony Thelen of Menasha; four children: Mary (Tom) Plath of Mountain, Wisconsin; Janet (Gil) Wagner of Balsam Grove, North Carolina; Daniel (Judy) Thelen of West Salem, Wisconsin; and Tom Thelen of Madison; eight grandchildren: Sharon (James) Friebel and their children Sara and Nick; Teri (Steve) Winter and their son Matt; Steve (Jen) Plath; Christine (Del) LaMarche and their children Ben and Beth; Debbie (Paul) Worthen; Peter Wagner; Jeffrey Thelen; and Raina Thelen; a brother-in-law: Paul Thelen of Littleton, Colorado; two sisters-in-law: Marie Becker of Appleton and Ethel Trilling of Port Washington. Leah was preceded in death by her parents, a brother John Trilling, sisters-in-law Jackie Thelen, Gertrude (James) Hale, and Leone (Walter) Peterman, and brothers-in-law Ed Becker, Cyril Thelen, and Bob Thelen.

In accordance with her final wishes, Leah has been cremated, and a memorial service for her family and friends will be held in the chapel at Peabody Manor.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Peabody for the wonderful home they have created for both mom and dad. The care each of you provides everyday means so very much to us. Thank you all – your kindness will never be forgotten.

Grief and pain are the price we humans have to pay for the love and total commitment we have for another person. The more we love, the more we are hurt when we lose the object of our love. But if we are honest with ourselves, would we have it any other way? – C.S. Lewis

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
Tri County Chapel
3212 S. Oneida Street
Appleton, Wisconsin 54915
920-831-9905