Obit: Thiede, Kenneth R. (1927 - 2009)  

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org  

Surnames: Bair, Johnson, Krueger, Oelke, Thiede, Walton  

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor County, Wisconsin) Thursday, September 24, 2009, Online Edition  

Thiede, Kenneth R. (April 3, 1927 - September 18, 2009) 

 Kenneth "Ken" R. Thiede, 82, Medford, died Friday, Sept. 18 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, where he had been taken earlier by helicopter.  

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medford, with Rev. James Krueger officiating. Cremainal inurnment will take place at a later date at Medford Evergreen Cemetery II. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Cody and Susan Thiede, Carrie and Casey Johnson and John and Alyssa Thiede.  

Kenneth Thiede was born April 3, 1927 in Two Rivers to the late Ralph E. and Vearl T. (Hoffman) Thiede.  

He attended Meadowbrook Elementary School in the Town of Hammel and was a 1944 graduate of Medford High School.  

He worked at Hodge Electric for one year, then entered the United States Army and was stationed in Italy during World War II. He then worked at Frischman Studebaker Garage in Medford. 

On June 2, 1951 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stetsonville, he married Marvel J. Oelke, who survives. In 1955 he started working at Mobil Oil Co., and later Thiede Oil Co. where he drove truck and delivered gas and fuel oil to rural customers. In 1964 they moved to the country where he had a hobby farm and raised mink and beef cattle. He retired from Exxon Mobile in 1995. 

He was a member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, was chairman for the Town of Medford board and was a volunteer fire fighter for over 14 years. He enjoyed the "Land" where he had a small airstrip to land his powered parachute. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, boating, bowling, golfing, playing cards and his cottage in Holcombe. 

In addition to his wife, survivors include seven children, Cynthia Thiede of Lahine, Hawaii, Dan (Sue) of Medford, David (Denise) of Minneapolis, Minn., Michelle (Tony) Walton of Steamboat, Colo., Steven of Bloomington, Minn., Scott (Amy) of Altoona and Lisa (Stan) Bair of Sausalito, Calif.; three brothers, Les (Lou) and Gene (Sharon), both of Medford, and Ralph (Marcy) of Stetsonville; and 11 grandchildren, Cody (Susan) Thiede, Carrie (Casey) Johnson, John and Alyssa Thiede, Doran and Regan Walton, Kira, Brady and Brianna Thiede and Ellie and Brody Bair. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his name and contributions may be directed in care of the family.  

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com