William Edward "Bill" Thele 1916 - 2007

THELE, BIETSCH, STEFFENSMEIER, SMITH, SAMPSON, JOHNSON, BROWN, PRANGER

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 9/6/2007 at 23:20:08

The Burlington Hawkeye, Thursday, September 6, 2007

William Thele
William Edward "Bill" Thele, 91, of Burlington, died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, at Danville Care Center.

Born Aug. 21, 1916, near Middletown, he was the son of John William "J.W." and Rosina Louise "Lou" Bietsch Thele. On Aug. 14, 1942, he married Gertrude Edna Steffensmeier in Abilene, Texas. She died June 10, 1999.

Mr. Thele was a master carpenter who did precision finish work in new buildings and restoration work in many of Burlington's historic homes. He also was experienced in plastering, block and brick laying, plumbing, electrical, drafting and surveying. He worked with his brother, Lawrence, until retiring in 1981.

He attended a one-room school in Augusta, graduating in the class of 1931.

In the 1930s he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. He completed foremanship training at Parson's College in Fairfield. He was a veteran, serving with the HQ & HQ Battery, 90th Division Artillery in the European theater during World War II.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and an active supporter of Notre Dame Schools.

He made children's furniture, toys and birdhouses. He farmed and he established a large orchard. He was president of National Foods Organization for many years and a member of Southeast Iowa Antique Gas Engine Club. He was an avid reader.

Survivors include three daughters, Rosemary Smith of Iowa City, Diane Johnson of Burlington, and Gerilyn Sampson of Ankeny; one son, William J. Thele of Burlington; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Thele Brown and Laura Thele Pranger, both of Burlington; and nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by one daughter in infancy, his parents, four sisters and three brothers.

The Mass of the resurrection for Mr. Thele will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Patrick J. Hilgendorf as celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Memorials have been established for Notre Dame Schools and St. Vincent de Paul Society.