Anna Mae (Sachs) Thielke

Anna Mae Thielke died Friday, March 2, 2018 at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 87.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson.  Rev. Kendall Stelter will officiate and interment will be in the Appleton Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-7:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  There will also be visitation at the church for one hour before the service on Friday.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Anna Mae Thielke was born on June 3, 1930 at her parent’s  home in rural Fairfield Township, of Swift County. She was the third of four daughters born to Alfred and Mildred (Schliep) Sachs.

Anna Mae Thielke was baptized in 1930 at Fairfield Lutheran Church in rural Holloway  and confirmed her faith in 1944.

Growing up on the farm was a wonderful time. She enjoyed being side by side with her father doing farm chores. She always said “She rode along in her daddy’s back pocket.” He taught her how to repair things that needed repairing, how to make home remedies for healing livestock, and the love of the land. The knowledge she gained as a child has stayed with her though out her life.

Anna Mae started her school days at the Fairfield Parochial School thru the second  grade. Then she and her sisters traveled down the road to District 51 in rural Fairfield Township. She completed the sixth grade there. She rode the bus to Holloway High thru tenth grade  and then on to Appleton High School.

October 24, 1947 she married Charles Thorson. To this union eight children were born; Robert, Mary Ann, Donald, Margaret, Marjorie, Thomas, Marie and James. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother. While raising her family she worked at several businesses in Appleton. She later had a daycare in her home. Charles Thorson passed away in October 1979.

Anna Mae married Delbert Thielke on June 22, 1984. Anna Mae became Del’s “ right hand gal” with Del’s photography business. They made a great team. They enjoyed dancing and spending time with family and friends.

Anna Mae had a love of sewing, doing crafts, being “Mrs. Fix-it”, reading, going to and having garage sales, and decorating their home for the holidays. There wasn’t a corner in their home that didn’t have a special treasure!

Anna Mae has a passion to help others , family and friends. She was always ready at a moment’s notice to roll up her sleeves and get to work. 

Anna Mae was a VFW Auxiliary member . She was a Past-President in the Appleton Chapter and a member of the Dawson Auxiliary.

She loved her family, God, and anyone that had a minute to visit. We will miss her but our hearts will always carry the memories of our beloved  wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and friend. 

Anna Mae (Sachs) Thielke is survived by: her husband, Del Thielke; children: Bob (Candi) Thorson, Mary Ann (Dean) Harley, Don (Nancy) Thorson, Margaret Clausen, Marj (Brad) Beal,  Tom (Lorraine) Thorson, Marie Rolfsmeier, Jim (Jean) Thorson, Scott Thielke, Jane (Steve) Rekstad; grandchildren: Nicole, Cody, Matt, Missy, Chris, Stacy, Aaron, Peter, Andy, Jacob, Cory, Ian, Rachel, Dominic, Derek, Amanda, Eric, CJ, Brandon, Kellen, Anne, Brian, Lindsay, Erik; and 37 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Mildred Sachs; her first husband, Charles Thorson; 3 sisters and spouses: Delores (Harvey) Boese, Florene (Floyd) Hein, Geri (Marv) Stavig, brother-in-law; Arvid Dalstrom , stepson, Paul Thielke, and son-in-law, Marc Lipps.

Bless be the memory of Anna Mae Thielke.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Johnson Memorial Foundation, or Rice Hospice.