In Memory

Gregory D Thielen

Gregory D Thielen

Gregory D Thielen died March 14, 2015. He was born on December 7, 1946. Greg had retired from Twin Disc. His wife, Susan, preceded him in death in 2011. We believe that he resided in Eau Claire at the time of his death. At this time, this is all we know. We were notified by a member of Greg's family. 



 
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03/22/15 10:04 AM #1    

Joel Sys

Greg was a very nice guy coming from a decent family. Too young to pass.


03/22/15 09:47 PM #2    

Kenneth Michael Holland

I was saddened to hear that another one of my childhood pals has passed away,  I first met Greg in Miss Vanvellsa's (sp?) kindergarten class at Mitchell School when he and Paul Lowry ganged up on me and knocked over a house I had made out of building blocks.  I never let him forget that moment.  In junior high we became good friends and our group of buddies included Don Sokolowski, Mike Wilfer, Larry Shockley, George Jaunkalnietis, Brian Peterson, Jim Roskowski, Iggy Bach and three buddies who have since pasted away...Pete Bach, Gerry Stirle and Jeff Lieungh.  It was at Greg's house on Taylor Ave that we always gathered before heading out on another adventure.  These were a great group of guys and we really had fun together.  After high school we eventually lost tract of one another.  Many of us going off into the Service or moving on in some other direction.  The last time I saw Greg and talked to him was back in the late 70's. I had hoped to reconnect with him again at our 50th Class Reunion.  It's too bad that won't happen now.     Mike Holland 


03/23/15 02:41 PM #3    

Donald Piggins

Greg as well as all the other guys Ken Holland listed were "fringe characters" in my regard --- not so worried about the Park High images but more free-spirited in how they lived in those three years. I do recall Mike Wilfer getting a "tonsured" hair cut like some 2nd century early Christian monk and being expelled for that. The alternative was a head shave which also turned out to be unacceptable to Mr. Ludemon and staff so Mike was rather "screwed" for some time which probably didn't matter to him. Greg Theilen dressed ahead of his time in my opinion and would have been quite at home in London as the Beatles were taking off. I remember Gerry Stirle as a tough guy always willing to pick a fight as was Larry Shockley, George (Juris) Jaunkalnietis declared he wanted to be called Juris at some point and, I think has a younger sister. Jim Roskowski had the perfect D.A. hairstyle in my opinion. Don Sokolowski and Jeff Lieungh were more straight forward avoiding the limelight of "hoods". The Bach brothers were totally into the free-spirited Jack Kerouac genre --- wish I had been more free spirited at that point but college years broke that egg shell. I follow Brian Peterson's struggles and keep him in my prayers. Will one or two nights be enough for us to reconnect? In that regard this site has been great for the sharing.    DP


03/23/15 02:44 PM #4    

Carol Tyree (Haider)

Very sad to hear about Greg's passing..he was a great guy and like Mike said, that whole bunch on guys had a blast together...I remember his sister, Julie too...way to young ...Carol

 


03/23/15 03:46 PM #5    

Al And Patty Singstock (Singstock)

It's so sad to see how many of our classmates are no longer with us!!! Greg RIP!!!


03/30/15 06:40 PM #6    

Donald Sokolowski

Another friend is gone,Our gang all hung around together for years always starting out at the Thielen's home  on Taylor Ave. We just hung out ,went hunting,played golf went to the Y Dances. It seemed every one went their own way after High school and most of us went to VietNam. Is it a coincident that some died young ,Gerry Stirle, Jeff lieungh, and now Greg all were VietNam vets. I don't know their medical history  but VietNam took a toll on the class of 65. I had cancer in 1990 possible from Agent Orange and I would bet a number of classmates the same. RIP Greg your old friend, Don


04/02/15 09:35 PM #7    

Judi Mentch (Lutkus)

Hi everyone, I talked to a lady today that was related to Gregs wife, she said he  had a really bad heart and he used to come home to see her brother but he was getting so bad and the drive was getting harder for him,she is going to give me more information if she finds out anything else.  RIP Greg sure wish you were here.


11/22/16 06:48 PM #8    

Kathleen Sidwell (Smullen)

This entry came via Jill Holzer, a friend of Greg's.

On June 9, 1990 Greg married Sue Milward in Racine. She preceded him in death on March 8, 2011.

Greg had some long term heart issues that took his life while in healthcare. He served in Vietnam, and was a wonderful story teller. He loved practical jokes and had even pulled some big ones in Vietnam. He was also plagued by memories of the loss of so many good buddies that he literally held in his arms as they passed in Vietnam. He had a loving heart and wore his heart on his sleeve. Greg passed on March 14, 2015 in Eau Claire. My (friend Jill Holzer) Dad died within a week or so of Greg's wife and we became a strong support system for each other and remained close friends until his death. He really was ready to be with his wife, Sue, in the end though as he missed her so much.  

He loved his basset hounds, his step daughter Melissa Milward, and his grandson Westley. Westley was the light of his life. He could not talk about him without glowing with joy. 


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