Evelyn G. Thiele – 94

Sun City Center, Florida – Evelyn G. Thiele went home to be with the Lord in the early morning of August 8, 2019. She was born April 24, 1925 in the town of Freedom, Wisconsin, to Nicholas and Anna Kieffer.

She was the widow of Robert W. Thiele and preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Sylvester Kieffer; sister, Rosella Burgoyne; her daughter, JoAnn M. Steffes; and grandson, Jeffrey Thiele. Evelyn is survived by her sister, Elmira Vincent; three sons, Gerald N.(Corinne) Thiele, Kenneth R. (Mary) Thiele and Daniel L. (Pamela) Thiele; grandchildren, Gerald A. (Julie) Thiele, Gregory (Lisa) Thiele, Lisa (Dave) Tremore, Melissa (David) Bruner, Sandra Thiele, Jessica Thiele, Steve Kools, Scott Kools and Fawn Loose; and her many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Evelyn grew up on a farm doing her fair share of milking cows, feeding chickens and harvesting crops. She met her future husband, Bob, at the local Friday night dances and was swept off her feet. They married in May of 1941. After WWII, they settled down and raised their children on a Wisconsin dairy farm. In 1956, they gave up the farming life and moved to Combined Locks, Wisconsin. Having no more farm chores, Evelyn initially found employment as a waitress before becoming a short order cook. After she left the restaurant business, she got a job driving the school bus in her area. She transported middle and high school students. She also drove for a charter bus company until retirement.

Bob and Evelyn moved to Riverview, Florida in the mid 80's and it was then she had time to pursue her many talents. Evelyn loved to knit and crochet and created afghans for her family and friends. She made hundreds of beanies which were donated to the local hospital for newborn babies. She loved music and could play the violin, guitar, piano and organ. Evelyn also had an artistic talent and her rooms were decorated with her acrylic paintings of landscapes and seascapes. After being widowed, Evelyn and her dear friend, Dorothy Weyburn, took trips together and had fun singing and dancing with the Acorns group at Kingswood MHP. In 2016, she moved to the Belvedere Commons in Sun City Center, Florida, until her passing.

A celebration of life will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center, Florida, on August 31, 2019, at 10 a.m. After 25 years of separation, she will join her husband on October 4, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Appleton Highlands Memorial Park in Appleton, Wisconsin. The family would like to thank the staff at Belvedere Commons and Lifepath Hospice for their kindness and care during her time there.