Eldine I. Thelen

Eldine I. Thelen, age 89, of Lansing, MI, passed away Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at Monark Grove retirement home, Clarkston, MI.

A memorial service will be held at St. Gerard Catholic Church, Lansing, MI on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 10:30 am, with Father Klein officiating. Visitation with family will be prior to the service at 10:00 am.

Eldine was born in Owosso, MI on February 9,1933; the daughter of Eldon and Norma (Block) Bailey. She spent her childhood in New Lothrop, MI on the family farm, learning to work alongside her parents and younger brother, Warren, enjoying the animals, ice skating, sledding, and chocolate refrigerator cake.

In 1949, at the age of 16, she graduated from Owosso High School. Eldine then attended CMU for two years. She earned her teaching certificate, taught in a country school for 2 years, then returned to college to pursue a degree in social work, graduating from CMU in 1955.

On June 25, 1955, Eldine married Justin Arthur Thelen at St Joseph Catholic Church in St Johns, MI, then made her primary home in Lansing MI, where they resided until Oct of 2022. Besides teaching, Eldine was a social worker, employed with ADC from 1960-1963, helping mothers and children. She left this position to enjoy time at home with her family, returning to work for the Ingram County Department of Corrections from 1975-1991. In 1991, she and her husband, Jud, retired to spend winters in North Ft Myers, FL. In 2016, Eldine wanted to live closer to family, so she returned to live in Michigan year-round. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing bridge, cooking, completing Sudoku number puzzles, reading, playing on her computer and phone, and cheering for MSU.

Eldine is survived by children: Lorrie (Eugene) English of Clarkston, Brice (partner Amy Beck) of Halstead, KS, Carol (Matthew) English of Livonia; grandchildren: Sarah, Kristen, Jessica, Rachel, Cyndal, Brittney, Kaylee, Dana; 9 great grandchildren, brother Warren Bailey of North Carolina, and sister-in-law Aileen Thelen of Fowler.

Eldine is preceded in death by her parents, husband Justin (December 29, 2008), son-in-law Mark, and many loved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following: St. Vincent Catholic Charities online or by mail to Attention: Development Team, in memory of Eldine Thelen, 2800 W. Willow St, Lansing, MI 48917; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America online or mailed to PO Box 424053, Washington, DC 20042 4053, mention in memory of Eldine Thelen.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/bloomfield for the Thelen family.