Alice Thielke

Alice Thielke, age 84, of Milbank died December 25, 2016, at the Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church with Rev Craig Werling officiating. Elaine Hallberg will provide music.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 2, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery.

Alice Pernilla Thielke was born to Albert and Ada (Nelson) Sten on November 19, 1932, on a farm north of Ortley, SD. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Alice grew up in Waubay and graduated from Waubay High School in 1950. She attended Northern State College and received a BS in Elementary Education, with a minor in Music.

Starting at the age of 17, Alice taught in a rural Waubay school for one year. After completing her college education she taught for six years in rural schools in South Dakota, six years in 1st grade in Stewart, Minnesota, 10 years in 1st grade and elementary music in Sisseton, South Dakota, and 19 years in elementary music in the Milbank school system. Alice retired in 1993.

Alice married Eldon L. Thielke in Waubay on August 5, 1961. They lived in Stewart, MN, Sisseton, SD, and Milbank, SD. They enjoyed their time together and took many trips to visit relatives and friends, even going to Las Vegas once! Eldon died in 2003, at which time she moved from their home into an apartment.

Alice was very active and a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served as president of the Sisseton and Milbank units four different times. She was also a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary. Alice was a member of the Retired Teachers’ Association.

A member of Living Word Lutheran Church, she was active in the Women of the Word and also served as the chair of the circle for several years. Alice directed the American Lutheran Chorister Choir for eight years and The Chancel Choir of the Living Word Lutheran Church for three years. She did not miss a single Sunday when her choirs sang! Alice enjoyed teaching Bible School and Sunday School for several years. Alice’s hobby was playing the marimba which she did at church and often at the care centers as well. She also enjoyed sharing coffee with friends and watching TV.

Left with her loving memory is her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Del and Anna Mae Thielke of Dawson, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; husband; step-parents, Francis and Della Lueb; sisters: Trudy (Francis) Kurtz, Margery (Lester) Melby, and Shirley (Dennis) Slaathaug; brother, Albert, Jr; and niece, Nancy Kurtz Peterson.