Barbara Lou (Shoquist) Thelen

Barbara Lou (Shoquist) Thelen passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the age of 86. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 10:30 am, with a gathering from 9:00-10:15 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. Father Tom Walker will preside. Barb will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

Barb was born on October 8, 1938, in Prior Lake, Minnesota, to Clifford A. Dubuque-Shoquist and Lucille Frances Holton.

Barbara's life was a testament to resilience, love, and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite facing early health challenges from childhood, Barbara never let adversity define her. On June 30, 1956, at the age of 17, she married the love of her life, Anthony (Tony) James Thelen, beginning a partnership that would span over five decades.

Together, Barb and Tony raised five children: Mary Sue, Debra, Mark, Jeffrey, and Cathy. Their home in Prior Lake was known for its open-door policy, welcoming not just their own children but also friends, relatives, and anyone in need of a place to stay.

Barbara's entrepreneurial journey began with selling Tupperware, where she quickly rose through the ranks. Her business acumen led her to venture into home imports and eventually to a successful career with Park Lane Jewelry. She and Tony traveled the country together, building their business while raising their family and eventually opening her open business in Prior Lake, CJ Fashions.

In 1982, the Thelen family faced the tragic loss of their youngest daughter, Cathy. This profound loss only strengthened Barbara's commitment to family and community. She channeled her grief into creating even stronger bonds with her loved ones.

In retirement, Barbara discovered a passion for watercolor painting. What began as a hobby painting flowers outside their Crosslake home blossomed into a second career. She sold her artwork, taught classes, and participated in art shows, with Tony supporting her every step of the way.

Barbara and Tony's later years were spent between their homes in Crosslake, Minnesota, and Venice, Florida. They returned to Minnesota in 2011 to be closer to their growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Known for her impeccable hosting skills, her perfectly applied lipstick, and her famous Brandy 7 cocktails, Barbara had a gift for making everyone feel special and included. Her life motto, "Love each other and love God," was evident in everything she did.

Barbara Lou Thelen will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, a talented artist, a savvy businesswoman, and a pillar of her community. Her legacy of love, resilience, and joy will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Barbara is survived by her children, Mary Sue (Ray) Leathers, Deb (Barry) Jabs Grover, Mark (Sue) Thelen, Jeff (Kim) Thelen; grandchildren, Holly (Jacob) Spies, Mandi (Jeff) Frischmann, Tara (Tyler) Caspers, Anthony James (Billie Jo) Thelen, Joshua (Zack) Thelen-Liebel, Garrett Kratz, James (Sarah) Leathers, Melissa (Justin) Helfrich, Lindsay (Dave) Ahmann, Nicholas (Amanda) Jabs, Sarah (Jake) Nelson, James (Susan) Jabs, Kelsy (Mike) Shanko, Angie (Colton) Remakel, Jacob (Jordan) Thelen, Karen Wicklander, Geoff (Cindy) Leathers; great-grandchildren, Caleb Leathers, Lucas Leathers, Benjamin Leathers, Christian Helfrich, Nicolas Helfrich, Isabella Nelson, Roman Nelson, Saylor Nelson, Robbie Wicklander, Rebecca Ramirez, Mitchell Wicklander, Olivia Spies, Taylor Caspers, Teagan Caspers, Michael Shanko, Owen Shanko, Abbi Frischmann, Connor Frischmann, Gunner Thelen, Autumn Thelen, Aspen Thelen, Emma Ahmann, Paxton Ahmann; great-great grandchildren, Hadley Wicklander, Bennett Wicklander, Leonardo Ramirez; special perfect four-legged friend, Muffy; other relatives and friends. 

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Tony; youngest daughter, Cathy; parents, Clifford and Lucille Shoquist; sister, Beverly Josephson; brothers, Bill Shoquist and Bobby Shoquist.