General Information
Full Name: Anthony James Thelen
Date of Birth: October 2, 1934
Date of Death: May 2, 2013
Anthony’s life story
Anthony James Thelen, age 78, of Prior Lake Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, May 2. While “Tony” was taken from us quickly, we all take comfort in knowing that he’s now joining his daughter, Cathy, many close family members, and great friends who all passed before him. Tony was a very proud, caring and thoughtful man. His heart was as big as life and his arms were always open. He not only touched people’s lives, his open door policy had a big impact on everyone around him. His influence was powerful!
Born on a farm in New Market, MN, to Joseph and Mary Thelen, Tony joined the Navy in 1952. When he left the service, he met and married his sweetheart, Barb, and together they raised five beautiful and successful children. Tony was very proud of his family. He considered his family and extended family to be one of his greatest accomplishments. He was also a hard worker and a bit of an entrepreneur. He was a regional VP for Jewels by Park Lane, collaborating with Barb to lead a team of sales representatives. He worked side-by-side with his two sons building custom homes and earned top honors from the Builder’s Association during the Parade of Homes. He played a significant role in building and re-building the communities he lived in. He co-founded Prior Lake’s PLAY sports program and was president of the Cross Lake Lion’s Club which earned him the Melvin Jones Award for building and donating the community park and playground. During his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time in Florida and fully supporting Barb’s work in the arts.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Matilda Karn, Hildie Weigelhofer and Cathy Joos; his brothers Cyril Thelen, Dick Thelen and Joe Thelen; and his youngest daughter, Cathy. He is survived by his sisters Josephine Kristofix and Margaret Farmer; his wife of 57 years, Barbara L. Thelen; his children Mary Sue Leathers (Ray), Deb Jabs (Barry Grover), Mark Thelen (Sue) and Jeff Thelen (Kim); his grandchildren Holly Spies (Jacob), Mandi Frischmann (Jeff), Tara Caspers (Tyler), Anthony James Thelen (Jessica), Joshua Thelen, Garrett Kratz, James Leathers (Sarah), Melissa Leathers, Lindsay Thelen (Dave Ahmann), Nicholas Jabs, Sarah Leathers, James Jabs, Kelsy Jabs, Angie Jabs, Jacob Thelen, Karen Wicklander (Greg) and Geoff Leathers (Cindy); and great-grandchildren Robert Wicklander, Rebecca Wicklander, Mitchell Wicklander, Abbi Frischmann, Taylor Caspers, Ava Kohanek, Connor Frischmann, Olivia Spies, Caleb Leathers and Gunner Thelen.
Family and friends will be coming together to celebrate his life with Visitation time on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake and visitation on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at Church. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, May 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake. Full Military Honors will be provided by the Prior Lake VFW Post 6208. Private Interment at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.
The Thelen family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation Service, Prior Lake Chapel.
Visitation
When: Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 4-7 PM
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant St. SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
There also will be visitation at the church 1 hour prior to services.
Service Information
When: Wednesday, May 8, 2013, 11:00 AM
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave. SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Interment
St. Michael Catholic Cemetery
Prior Lake, MN 55372
