Thieleke, Pauline Karen (1948-2013)

THIELEKE, BORG, PURCELL, SAILSBURY, TURNER, JOHNSON, VORPAHL

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 9/23/2013 at 22:09:47

Pauline Karen Thieleke
July 9, 1948 - August 17, 2013

Resided in Urbandale, Iowa

Pauline Karen Thieleke, 65, passed away at her Urbandale home on August 17, 2013.

The daughter of Albert and Addie Borg, Pauline spent her youth on her parent's farm near Forest City. She held leadership roles in 4-H, First Baptist Church youth activities, and cheerleading. Moreover, she was named the Outstanding Girl of the 1966 graduating class at the Forest City High School.

In 1970, Pauline completed a degree in elementary education at the University of Northern Iowa. On June 6, 1970, she married David Thieleke. She had a passion for teaching. She taught mathematics and science in the Linn Mar, Maquoketa, Bettendorf, and Urbandale schools. In addition, she shared her passion with her children, Jeffrey and Jill, and later with her five grandchildren. Although she retired in 2004, she continued working as a substitute teacher at the Urbandale Middle School right up to the time of her death.

After retiring, Pauline devoted extensive time to her family, gardening, and providing for the wild birds attracted to her backyard. A devoted grandmother, she was adored by her grandchildren and always cheered them on at their activities. She loved to laugh, read, and play games with her grandchildren. She also took great pleasure in baking for them and finding special things that they would enjoy.

Pauline was her immediate---and extended family's---consummate historian and poet, often composing poignant and insightful verse for significant family events. The Christmas dinner gatherings she and husband, Dave, masterfully hosted for the Borg family became legendary. Her culinary and organizational skills serve as a beautiful testimony to her devotion to her family, her siblings, and their children.

Pauline is survived by her husband, David; her son, Jeffrey (Cheri), and his three children, Christopher, Michael, and William, of Ames; her daughter, Jill (Scott) Purcell, and her children, Lucy, Dominic, and an unborn grandson, of Urbandale; her siblings, Betty Sailsbury, of Ames, Sharon Turner, of Lakeland, Minnesota, Julie Ann Johnson, of Colby, Wisconsin, Eldean, of Mount Vernon, and Lyle, of Pella. Her parents; a sister, Shirley Vorpahl; and a brother, Marlyn, preceded Pauline's passing.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Urbandale, of which she was a member. Cremation will follow the services, and a private burial of cremated remains will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association. SERVICES PROVIDED BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES-WESTOVER CHAPEL

Copyright © 2013, Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel

Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel
 

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