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Erna Martha Thiel obituary, 7/29/04


Erna Martha (Stoeckmann) Thiel, age 91 of Lester Prairie, died Thursday, July 29, 2004, at St. Mary’s Care Center, Winsted, surrounded by her family.
Erna was born July 12, 1913 in Hamburg, the daughter of Dietrick and Elise (Wroge) Stoeckmann. She was baptized July 20, 1913, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg by the Rev. Hainrich Bouman, and confirmed into the faith April 10, 1927 by the same.
Erna attended Emanuel Lutheran School through the eighth grade, and later Glencoe.
She was united in marriage to Albert Thiel May 8, 1923, at Emanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. Bouman. The couple moved throughout the years and made their home in Arlington, Lester Prairie, Minneapolis, Richfield, eventually settling back in Lester Prairie, where they owned and operated a meat market and restaurant.
Erna moved to St. Mary’s Care Center, Winsted, in January 2003.
She was a past member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Bridge Club, and Friendship Club. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lester Prairie, for about 55 years.
Erna enjoyed knitting, sewing, making dolls, listening to old time music, visiting with friends, serving her famous potato salad, and especially, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Barbara Parpart (husband, Willard) of Lester Prairie, Ruth Ann Mohwinkel (husband, Daniel) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; James Thiel (wife, Susan) of Bloomington, and Charles Thiel of Lester Prairie; 11 grandchildren, serving as casket bearers and honorary casket bearers; and her great-grandchildren: Jennifer Steingas (husband, Charles), Jacqueline Schwartz, Jocelyn Schwartz, Jonathan Schwartz, Madison Ruesink, and Sydney Ruesink.
She is further survived by a brother-in-law, Oscar Rolf of Winsted, and many other relatives and friends.
Erna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers William Stoeckmann and Carl Stoeckmann, and sisters Hilda Oelfke, Eleanor Michaelis, Martha Luebke, and Ruth Rolf.
Funeral services were Saturday, July 31, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lester Prairie, with the Revs. Eric Nelson and Randall Tonn officiating. Organist was Marsha Christenson, and the congregation sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” The Norwood Chorus sang “Priest Gott.” “Softly and Tenderly” was played as special music.
Casket bearers were Don Schwartz, Rick Ruesink, Jason Thiel, Jeremy Thiel, Michael Mohwinkel, Matthew Mohwinkel, and Marcus Mohwinkel. Honorary casket bearers were Patricia Schwartz, Kelli Parpart, Sherri Ruesink, Kristen Thiel, Kimberly Thiel, and Jamison Thiel. Jonathan Schwartz served as cross bearer.
Visitation took place Friday evening, July 30, at the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Lester Prairie. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Arrangements were with the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel, Lester Prairie.

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