Louis Thielen

Louis “Lou” Mathias Thielen, 93, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Essentia Health Oak Crossing.

Lou was born on November 25, 1929, the son of John and Theresa Thielen in Manannah, MN. His family moved to Paynesville, MN in his early childhood and he graduated from Paynesville High School in 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in the 82^nd Airborne Division. Lou received his parachute and glide training at Fort Benning, GA and Fort Brag, NC. His three-year enlistment was extended one year by President Harry S. Truman, during the Korean War. He was discharged in 1952, a Sergeant First Class.

He was united in marriage to Janice Novak soon after discharge, on September 26, 1953, in Wyoming, MN.   They celebrated 69 years of marriage this last September.  When he retired, Lou and Jan moved to Big Cormorant Lake.   Lou was an avid fisherman and spent many hours on the lake fishing when he wasn’t playing golf.

Lou enjoyed a long and successful career with Coca-Cola, starting out as a delivery salesman in Minneapolis, MN. He worked his way up through the ranks and in 1970, was promoted to General Manager of the Coca-Cola Seven-Up Bottling Co. of Fargo/Moorhead, a division of Coca-Cola Midwest. His family moved to Moorhead, MN.   Lou retired in 1988 after 36 years with Coca-Cola.

He was very active in the Fargo-Moorhead community and served on the Boards of the Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, United Way, F-M Travel and Convention Bureau and the Moorhead State University Foundation. Lou was also a long-time member of Moorhead Rotary and Cormorant Lions.

Lou is survived by his wife, Janice, and their five children: Laurie (Rob) Hansen of Loveland, CO, Patty Paulus of Bismarck, ND, Joanne (Tim) Huckle of Wickenburg, AZ, Gary (Jane) Thielen of Waite Park, MN, and Ron Thielen of Sarasota, FL; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Coming from very large family, Lou is survived by one brother, Harold, of Paynesville, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 3, 2022, with visitation to start hour prior at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, MN.  Father Huck will officiate.  Lunch will follow the service.

Interment with Immediate Family: 3:00 PM at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. 

Memorials can be sent to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Arrangements are in the care of David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, MN.