Richard W. Thelen passed away peacefully at home with his wife Kathryn by his side, and after having spent the last week surrounded by his family and friends, many grandchildren, and even some great-grand-children, sharing stories and memories.  

Richard was born the last of six children to Fred and Anita (Klawes)Thelen on November 24, 1937 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.  He was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses: Robert (Joyce), Betty (Robert), Raymond (Eileen), Fred (Barbara), Lloyd. 

Richard began working for the Carnation Company in Oconomowoc as a teenager, until he convinced his dad to sign for him to join the Marines when he was seventeen years old.  After discharge from the military, he worked for Coca-Cola as a delivery driver for sixteen years. He then worked for G&K services as a salesman and delivery driver, for the following next sixteen years, where he was recognized with numerous awards for his excellence in sales and good service. 

Dick and Kathy enjoyed traveling the country, visiting family and friends and seeing all the wonders of nature.  In retirement, they moved to the Wisconsin River, where they spent many years on the water, admiring the wildlife, and enjoying his favorite pastime: fishing!

He is survived by wife Kathy, son Joseph and daughter-in-law Jamie Thelen, step-children, Jeff (Janice) Marquardt, Dan (Robin) De L’eau, Chris Marquardt, and Lorah Marquardt.  Grandchildren: Joshua (Mary) Thelen, Holly (Ryan) Larson, Valerie (Chris LaVoie) Thelen, Jacob (Ashely Masoner) Thelen, Mary (Beckett) Thelen, Joseph Thelen, James Thelen, Spencer (Sienna) Marquardt, Evan (Jessica) Marquardt, Silas Ritchie, Jasmine Marquardt, Josette (Jose) Cabauero-Peña. Great-grandchildren:  Veronica (Silas), Elijah, Isaiah, Joshua, Marianna, Hannah, Noah, Emma, Gabriella, Rocco, Lucia, Miriam, Ian, Benjamin, Rowen, Eloise, Frankie, Amelia, Madelyn, Addaline, Elliott, Cecelia, and Marco;  as well as his sisters-in-law:  Annie, Pam (Brian), Gail (Bruce), Debbie (Larry), and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends are invited to join us for the Rite of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 15th at 11am. Summit Cemetery, 37100 Delafield Road, Summit, Wisconsin. Celebration of Life luncheon immediately following, at The Happy Place (formerly Schewefels). N58W39877 West Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.