Virginia Maxine Thelen

The funeral service for Virginia Thelen, 86, of Aberdeen, formerly Mansfield, was 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 5, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, Mansfield, with Pastor Jon Damaska officiating. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Aberdeen. Virginia died Saturday, March 31, at her home in Aberdeen.

Visitation: 1:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, with family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home 1111 S. Main St.

Virginia Maxine Dull was born on July 28, 1925 to Ward and Bess (Jarrett) Dull at Aberdeen, SD. She was the eighth of ten children in the family and grew up and attended school in the area. Virginia graduated from Brentford High School in 1943 and went on to receive her Teacher's Certificate from Northern. She then taught country school for a year.

On May 27, 1944, Virginia married Daldon Thelen at Mobridge, SD. They made their home on a farm near Mansfield. Daldon passed away on February 19, 1992. Virginia continued to make Mansfield her home until moving to Primrose Apartments in 1998.

Virginia was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Mansfield. She served as the church treasurer for many years. She also was active in Ladies Aide where she made many quilts and church banners over the years. When they were younger, Virginia and Daldon enjoyed playing cards with their friends in Mansfield. Virginia played a major role in planning the Mansfield Centennial. Virginia loved to travel. They traveled throughout much of the US, Europe, Australia, and Hawaii. One of her favorite family trips was when they drove to Alaska. Virginia loved her family. She held a special place in her heart for babies and little children.

Grateful for having shared Virginia's life are her daughter, Pamela (Glenn) Handke, Raymond, SD, son, R. John (Toye) Thelen, Mansfield, grandchildren, Michelle (Steve) Patterson and Michael (Julie) Thelen, great grandchildren, Johnathan, Elizabeth, and Samantha Thelen, sister, Joanne Cooper, Fallon, NV, and many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Daldon, parents, Ward and Bess, sisters, Loverne Berreth, Frances Becker, Phyllis Vanderfeen, L. Jean Brown and Carol Nilsson, and brothers, Charles, Clifton and Russell Dull.

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