Obituaries
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Martha S Thiel
July 9, 1924 - Jan. 27, 2024 - Chilton, WI
Funeral Service
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024
11:30 am
54 E. Main St.
Chilton, WI 53014
Funeral Visitation
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024
9:00 am - 11:00 am
411 W Main St.
Chilton, WI
Martha S Thiel
Chilton WI
Martha Susan (Preissner) Thiel passed away peacefully on January 27, 2024 in her 100th year of life. Martha was born to Anna (Schneider) and Henry Preissner on July 9, 1924. She was proud to say that the only home she ever lived in was on Tower Road. She married Melvin John Thiel on September 25, 1945 and together they raised their three daughters – and cows, pigs and chickens -- on their dairy farm.
Community was at the heart of Martha’s life and much of it centered around her beloved St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Kloten. Martha prepared linens for weekly Mass for decades. She lived her faith through her involvement in Catholic Financial Life, CCW, Calumet Medical Center auxiliary activities, New Hope Center, and crocheted thousands of baby caps for the Knitting Ministry at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Every grandchild volunteered side by side with her and Melvin at the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse. Martha’s crocheted towels decorate homes throughout the world as she generously gave them to anyone who visited the farm and donated them to the hospital gift shop. She taught many young 4-Hers how to crochet. Martha and Melvin took time for fun, too, with Calumet County Homemakers, at the Eagles Club where she served fish fries until she was 80, neighborhood gatherings and several card clubs.
Although they would have preferred that their daughters lived on Tower Road, Martha and Melvin enjoyed traveling across the country to visit them and their families. Return trips to the farm were filled with baseball games, jigsaw puzzles, volunteering, board games, hickory nut picking, gardening, card games and farm chores. We never left the farm yard without full tummies, hearing “drive safely” and with a wave as she stood at the front window.
Martha’s loving family includes daughters Betty and Lori, and sons-in-law, John, Allen and Mark, whom she treated like sons. Grandchildren: Tiffanie (Cliff) Eyre, Drew Propson, Kimberly (Jim) Bowen, Jeremy (Nicole) Halpern, Jen (Chris) Curran, Nathan (Shannon) Werbeckes, Nic (Katie) Robles, and Sara Werbeckes (Miles Morkri). Martha welcomed 13 great-grandchildren with baby caps: Tirzah, Kaden, Levi, Kienan and Talia Eyre, Fidelina, Beatrix, Norah and Julian Bowen, Carter and Hudson Curran, Jack Halpern and Maeve Robles. Brother-in-law Ralph Steiner and sister-in-law Carol Thiel, along with Thiel and Preissner nieces and nephews, were special visitors. Gratitude to two beloved neighbors, Gerry Steffen and Gary Ludwig.
Martha was welcomed into heaven by Melvin, her husband of 66 years, in October 2011, her daughter, Dianna Propson, in October 2023, brother and sister-in-law Frank and Alvina Preissner, Melvin’s siblings and in-laws Cyril and Margaret Thiel, Harold and Dolores Thiel, Eugene Thiel, Fr. Lloyd Thiel, Alice Steiner and Leon Thiel.
For nearly 20 years, Martha, Dianna, Betty and Lori exchanged nightly emails with news of the day. The recent loss of Dianna changed that tradition but it lives on with John and granddaughters joining in. Many of those emails ended with Mom’s kind words, “Time to call it a day. It was sooo nice talking with you. Sweet dreams to everyone.” Sweet dreams to you, Mom.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 am on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton with Rev. Larry Abler, OFM Cap. officiating. Burial will be in the St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Kloten. A time of visitation will be held at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) from 9:00 am until 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. The Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church the morning of the Mass. At the time of the service and following, there will be a link available above for those wishing to watch a live stream or archived recording of the service, watch a memorial video, or see pictures of the funerals and gifts given to the family.
Memorial gifts will be shared with the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse in New Holstein.
Condolences
RIP Martha. Sorry we missed your funeral. you will be missed by so many.
Larry and Shirley Schneider (prior financial life agent) 2024-02-13 14:21:42
So sorry for your loss. Martha was such a sweet woman. I have fond memories of her, and Melvin, as I was growing up. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Carol (Kolbe) Mueller (relative) 2024-02-04 18:44:06
We were so sad to hear about your loss of Lori's mom. It was a very nice obituary and she seemed like a truly lovely lady. And that all who knew her held her in the highest regards! Of course, it makes sense now knowing what a sweetheart Lori is that she took after her mom. The pictures were so fun to see. Happy to see she met Maeve. The work those hickory nuts must have taken ...wow! Wishing we could have known her, especially since my crocheting could have used her help. At least, we have one of her towels????Thanks. Lucky for your family for having her around so long.????
Becky and Jackie Jesinski (Family friend) 2024-02-04 17:33:54
My sympathies to you. Mrs. Thiel taught me how to crochet 40+ years ago in 4-H. Crocheting is still a favorite hobby.
Kim Krupp Willman (former 4-H student) 2024-02-02 20:59:50
Such a legacy!
Mark Preissner (Relative) 2024-02-01 17:14:14
Lori and family. I am so sorry for your Loss of a dear sweet lady. You were so blessed to have her for so long. I am so happy that I can remember her with the grape jelly I prepared with the grapes from the farm and the towels that she crocheted. My sympathy
Pauline Carpenter (friend) 2024-02-01 16:28:46
Lori and family: Heartfelt sympathy. What an amazing obit about your astonishing mother. She touched so many in her long lifetime. Her story reminds me of my beloved mother. You have obviously inherited her generous heart, Lori. Take care.
Joyce McComish (Friend of Lori) 2024-02-01 15:49:53
Lori and family, We send all of you grace and love during this difficult time of loss. She is in God’s hands and with the loved ones that passed before her. I was always deeply moved that your family lovingly supported your mother living out her life at her beloved farm. Each time I wipe my hands on her crocheted oven towels, I will think of her with joy. Deepest condolences, Anne and Bruce
Anne & Bruce Palzkill (Friends of the family ) 2024-02-01 12:44:30
My deepest sympathy to your family. Martha was like a second grandmother to me in my younger years. Walks to the farm are some of my fondest memories. Her and your father were such kind people.
Lisa Broeckel (Neighbor on Quinney Rd) 2024-01-31 13:09:30
May you rest in peace as God new it was your time you are now with your loving husband that we help chop wood for and got his tractor going and you thought me how to knit we will miss you dearly your loving heart was made of gold you went out of your way to make meals when we worked for you may God bless your heart and rest in peace ?????
Michelle and Daniel swette (Friend) 2024-01-31 10:44:33
RIP Martha, you were a great asset to the hospital gift shop by donating beautiful towels. We will miss you. Live on with the great memories.
Doris Bennin (Fellow Auxiliary member) 2024-01-30 22:09:40
Sorry for your loss. Milked for your parents when they took vacation.
Mark Schwobe (Close Neighbor) 2024-01-30 20:33:10
Grandma, I miss you so much already. You left a wonderful legacy of kindness and love. You showed me how to be a faithful daughter of God. I am so grateful for all of the memories that I made with you. One of my most treasured memories is of our summers together. Hudson tells me not to be sad because you get to go to Heaven and that is even better than earth. I will miss your nightly emails and the care packages that you lovingly sent to me even though I am now a grown-up. Watch over us and keep us safe. I love you.
Jen (Granddaughter) 2024-01-30 17:41:03
Our family is sending our hearts and prayers to your family. I will never forget our trips to the farm with grandma and grandpa Propson. We always had a great time and I'm so blessed to have still been apart of her life for all these years. Much love!!
Jennifer (Titel) Miazga (Friend) 2024-01-30 17:05:43
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