Marilyn Hilma Thiel

Marilyn Hilma (Anderson) Thiel, 91, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully July 11, 2021, at Bishop Spencer Place. She was born July 3, 1930, in Highland Park, Illinois, to Charles E. and Clara Seraphia (Bloomquist) Anderson.

Marilyn attended Oak Terrace Elementary School, Highland Park High School and Augustana College where she earned a B.A. in Education. Marilyn met the joy of her life, Harry C. Thiel, while at Augustana College. They were married June 7, 1952. Marilyn taught P.E. and science in public schools in East Moline and LaGrange, Illinois, while Harry attended seminary. She retired from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where she worked in the University News Service.

Marilyn grew up within a mile of Lake Michigan on the North Shore of Chicago. She loved water in all its forms as an avid swimmer, figure skater and paddler. She assured all her children knew how to swim and owned a pair of skates so that all were ready to soar across expanses of frozen lake water any time a hard freeze set in.

She followed her passion for the outdoors working summers as a counselor at Camp Wind-in-the-Pines in Massachusetts during her college years. When the opportunity arose, she and Harry volunteered to be among the first chaplain couples to serve the National Park Service in Glacier National Park through the Christian Ministry in the National Parks in 1953. There Lynn and Harry discovered the majesty of the mountains. Many family summers were spent camping and hiking in the Rocky Mountains for weeks at a time.

Harry and Lynn loved the fresh spring waters and winding rivers of Missouri and canoed and camped with family, friends and church youth groups throughout their lives.

Marilyn loved to play and watch sports and often called to ask what station was playing the football/basketball/baseball game.

Marilyn’s father fought in the Battle of Belleau Wood and other key battles as a Marine in World War I. He carried his experience with him throughout his life. Marilyn took great pride in her father’s heroism, but also witnessed the impact of his war years’ experience. She was staunchly committed to peace and justice and lived that commitment throughout her life.

She stood with Harry as the two confronted the injustices of their times. As a pastor couple, they led their church in partnering with a parish in East St. Louis to bring early childhood, literacy and jobs programs to the inner city. They partnered with other local congregations to bring sewers and streetlights to Meacham Park, a suburb of St. Louis. And she served years as a tutor for children in the underserved community.

Marilyn’s first love was her family. She hosted many family celebrations, invited each grandchild to camp with Gramma and Grampa by themselves when they turned five and took the five oldest grandchildren on a weekend get-away to swim, put on shows and jump on beds. No one ever forgot it. She and Harry included her sister’s children in summer vacations and reached out to many others to bring them into the family fold.

Marilyn’s civic engagements included League of Women Voters, Marriage Enrichment and Our Lord’s Lutheran Church in Maryville, Illinois, where Harry and Lynn were members for almost 50 years.

Marilyn is survived by her three children, Joan Leavens (John), David Thiel (Sarah) and Richard Thiel (Andi Heard), brother-in-law Robert Thiel (Carol), grandchildren Lane Leavens-Nicholson (Bobby), Claire DelliVeneri (Michael), Alyssa Thiel (fiancé Chris Gleason), Elly Leavens (Luke Schneider), Charles Thiel, and Adeline Thiel, and great grandchildren Henry DelliVeneri, Bowen Leavens Schneider and Elise DelliVeneri and nieces and nephews. Lynn and Harry were family to many, including Amy Martinez and her son, Joseph Bradley; Gunnar Wennberg; and Rachel Mahlik, Marvin Grilliot and Sam, Ben and Maggie Grilliot.

Visitation will be held at 10:30 am, August 14, in the park across the street from First Lutheran Church, 6400 State Line Road, Mission Hills, KS 66208, followed by an outdoor celebration of Marilyn’s life for friends and extended family at 11 am.

Contributions in Marilyn’s memory may be made to Our Lord’s Lutheran Church in Maryville, Illinois, the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Lutheran World Relief or a charity of your choice.