Florence Frances Thelen

Mrs. Florence Frances Thelen, age 97, of Atlantic, IA, passed away on Sunday, June 15th, 2025, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, IA.

Florence Frances Irlmeier was born in Carroll, Iowa, on March 18, 1928, a daughter of Anton “Tony” and Frances (Muhlbauer) Irlmeier. She attended Holy Angel’s Catholic School in Roselle, Iowa, through the eighth grade. She worked as a blue girl for St Anthony’s Hospital until her marriage to Gerald Sylvester Thelen on September 21, 1948, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Roselle.

As a young bride, Florence supported her husband by taking calls and appointments for their custom feed grinding business in Templeton, IA, and later for her brother-in-law, Sylvester “Junior” Thelen, when he took over the grinding business.

In 1953, Florence and her husband, Gerald, moved south of Roselle and farmed the Irlmeier family farm. In 1969, they purchased their own farm in Cass County east of Anita.

Florence was active in her church community at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Anita and entertained nursing home residents throughout the area with her accordion playing. When health problems prompted retiring to Atlantic in 1986, Florence became active with SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, leading the rosary for weekend masses, funeral committee luncheons, and quilting with the ladies' auxiliary. The Atlantic Senior Citizens Center and the S.H.A.R.E. program also benefited from her volunteer efforts. In 1991, Florence received the Governor's Volunteer Award from Governor Terry Branstad.

Florence moved to Heritage House in 2019 and continued to be active by playing cards and doing puzzles. Her love of music was shared with all. Entertaining her guests with her accordion at the 95th birthday party and almost daily singing at the Health Center.

Florence is survived by her children, Allen (Alvina) Thelen of Anita, Susan (Terry) Boes of Bella Vista AR, Duane (Ann) Thelen of Anita, and Dale (Debra) Thelen of Bella Vista, AR; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her in-laws Ralph Thelen of Davenport, IA, Mary Ann Ludwig of Carroll, IA, Lynette Schaffer of Omaha, NE, Virginia Thelen of Anita, Kay Thelen of Templeton, IA, Cecelia Thelen of Carroll, IA; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family members.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, in 2002; her parents, Anton and Frances Irlmeier; her parents-in-law, Sylvester and Mathilda (Neuerberg) Thelen; her daughter-in-law, Jodi Thelen; two grandchildren, Lauren Rice, and Garrett Carroll; one great-grandchild; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Cecelia (Herbert) Nepple, Marie (Ray) Ertz, and Lorene (Norbert)
Nepple, and many other family members.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, IA, with Fr. Trevor Chicoine as the Celebrant and Fr. Brad Robey as the Concelebrant. Following the mass, burial will be held at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the reception room of the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A rosary will be prayed at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church, followed by a public visitation until the time of Mass.

Memorials may be directed to the Thelen Family, to be designated at a later date in memory of Florence. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic.