Daniel M. “Butch” Thiel, 73, of Le Mars, passed away Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the VA Medical Center in Omaha, NE after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with Rev. Bruce Lawler officiating and Rev. William McCarthy concelebrating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in LeMars, IA. Graveside military honors will be conducted by Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of LeMars. Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. Friday. There will be a parish rosary at 5p.m. and vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.
Butch was born June 21, 1944 in Le Mars, IA, the son of John “Jack” and Lucille (Tracey) Thiel. He was raised in Remsen where he graduated from Remsen St. Mary’s High School in 1962. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1964 to 1968 when he was honorably discharged.
He married Florence Kommes on May 23, 1970 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars. He spent over 40 years as a service technician working on bank equipment in the Midwest region. He was retired for a short time before getting called back to train new employees.
Butch was a member of All Saints Parish-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in LeMars, where he served as an usher.
He was a passionate bowler who over the years, participated in almost every league in Le Mars. When he was not bowling, he enjoyed following his son’s activities. Even more so, he enjoyed traveling to see his grand kids and watch their activities.
Survivors include his four sons: Chris Thiel and his wife Jenny and their two children, Macie and Noah, of San Antonio, TX, Matt Thiel and his wife Kim and their three children, Brandon, Madison, and Jackson, of Omaha, NE, Mitch Thiel and Kate Gangestad and her son Griffin of Omaha, NE, Andy Thiel and his wife Megan and their three children, Drew, Kayley, and Ryan of Peoria, IL; two brothers: John “Buck” Thiel and Bernard “Shorty” Thiel of Remsen; six sisters-in-law: Dolores and her husband Gerald Sitzmann of Hinton, Mary Ann and her husband Bill Langley of Sioux City, Loretta and her husband Lee Steichen of Alton, Lavonne and her husband Pete Galles of Remsen, IA, LaVonne Kommes of Le Mars, and Mary Kay Thiel of Remsen, IA; two brothers-in-law: Ken Kommes of Fort Dodge, IA and Rich and his wife Marlys Kommes of Le Mars; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Florence Thiel; his parents; Jack and Lucille; two brothers; Marion Thiel and Bob Thiel; his parents-in-law; Albert and Mabel Kommes; three brothers-in-law; Don Kommes, Larry Kommes, and Leonard Kommes; sisters-in-law; Ruth Thiel, Erlene Kommes, and Betty Kommes.
Due to Butch’s lack of love towards suits, please feel free to dress casual.
In lieu of flower’s, cash donations will be made to the Gehlen Catholic Athletic Program
Casket bearers will be Scott Sullinger, Scott Lewis, Gary Brady, Mark Fisher, Colin Schroeder, and Alex Schroeder