Loretta Thelen

Loretta M. Thelen, died May 27, 2010, at the age of 89. Born in Westphalia, October 29, 1920, the daughter of Leo and Antoinette (Fedewa) Smith. She married Alvin R. Thelen on August 20, 1941, and he preceded her in death on July 20, 1982. Loretta was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and had worked as a Cook at Waldron Elementary School in Fowler, Becker's Bridal and an Avon Rep.

Surviving are her children, daughters, Mary Ann (Mike) Schneider, Linda L. (Bob) Hoppes, Sharon L. Droste, sons, Alan L. (Sandra), Kenneth C. (Barb), Charles D., Leon R. (Grace), Dale L. (Barb), and Daniel J. Thelen, sisters, Mary Catherine (Marvin) Schafer, Lucille ( Gerald) Fedewa, brothers, Delbert, James (Marilyn), and Jerome (Carlene) Smith, 38 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Alvin, sisters, Joan Simon-Thelen, Viola Fedewa, and brother, Carl Smith, grandson, David J. Schneider, great grandchildren, Samantha Wohlfert, Carly Miller and Jacklynn Miller.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler with Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. Burial will follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery. The family will receive friends, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Sunday and Monday, with rosaries prayed at 3 and 8 p.m., both days at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 11112 W. Ionia St., Fowler. Contributions may be made to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor or Hospice Advantage, 801 S. Waverly Rd. Suite 304, Lansing, MI, 48917, in Loretta's memory.

When I come home to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free!

Miss me a little-but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me-but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Master's plan.
A step on the road to home.

When we are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss Me-But Let Me Go!

To learn more about Loretta and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/59209 , where you can share a memory or photo, and sign her memory book.