Virgen Thiel Obituary

Virgen "Virg" Thiel 89, of Medford passed away Friday July 18, 2025 surrounded by family and under the care of St.Croix Hospice.

Virgen was born January 2, 1936 to Max & Louisa Kaczinski of DeWitt, IA. She grew up on the family farm with 3 brothers & 7 sisters. She graduated from Welton High School, Welton, IA. After high school she retained a job at a local Insurance Agency.

In 1956 Virgen married Edward Thiel, they started out as dairy farmers in Calmaus, IA. In 1971 Edward and Virgen moved to Little Black, WI. They ran a nice size dairy farm milking approx. 65 head of Holsten cattle, and farming approx. 300 acres of land. They later divorced and auctioned the farm in 1994.

Virgen was always busy milking cows, doing field work and making a home. She was an excellent cook and baker and Saturday mornings there were always made from scratch caramel/pecan cinnamon rolls, they never lasted long. She was very active in Farm Breau as acting secretary. In addition to the farm life she also sold Avon door to door and was a member of the local Homemakers group and Tops where she met and became friends with many fabulous women through the years. She also had a part time job at the Copps IGA doing food demonstrations. She later got a job at True Value Hardware, (later called Ace Hardware) store where she worked for 27 years, in her later years she went to part time until she finally fully retired at the age of 82, everywhere she went people recognized her from the Hardware store. You could also find her at the bowling alley she bowled couples league and the Monday women's league. She also met up with her sisters to bowl in tournaments. Going to the Casino was also another favorite pass time she enjoyed playing the penny slots and won a few times. Virgen was very fortunate to have been able to travel to places like Hawaii, San Diego and the Bahamas and several times to Vegas and Arizona.

She formed a special friendship with James Prell they later on became engaged and enjoyed many happy years together. They had many adventures for the next 30 years. Traveling to different Casinos where Virgen loved to play the penny slots and won a few times. They went to Arizona often and sometimes Vegas. Jim loved to drive so many times they just got in the car and went on an adventure.

She loved to spend time with her brothers & sisters they would often get together on the annual fishing trips in Fond du Lac. Spending time with her grandchildren and seeing her great grandchildren was always a treasure for her.

Virgen is survived by her children, Heidi (Thomas) Apfelbeck of Westboro and Todd (Shizue) Thiel of Birchwood, Wi. Five Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren and one Great-Great Grandchild. Jason (Korissa) Fettes and children Leon, Annette and Zander Fettes of Hatley, WI. Jeffery (Sarah) Fettes and children Maison Fettes of Medford and Devin (Breanna Wagner) Fries their daughter Braea Fries from Phillips and Mackenzie (Zach) Meier of Medford. Candice (Aaron) Hoffman and children Olivia Thorson, Kegan, Aurora and Isla Hoffman of Green Bay, WI. Justin (Reba) Thiel and children Ayden & Maria Thiel and Nala, Chayton & Aiden Moose of Westboro, WI and Brittnay Thiel Lafortune and her daughter Brooklynn LaFortune of Medford, WI. Also siblings, Bev (Ed) Peterman of DeWitt, IA. Patrica Cahill of Delmar, IA. Judy Tsudi of Virginia. Brothers Paul(Arlene) Kaczinski and Kenneth Kaczinski Delmar, IA

Virgen was proceeded in death by her Parents; brother Max, sisters Mary, Marcella, Betty and Sandra, and James Prell.

Funeral services will be held Thursday July 24, 2025 at Holy Rosary Church with Father Patrick officiating. Visitation is from 9:30am-11am a full mass at 11am with a luncheon to follow.

The family is so incredibly thankful for the support of Our House Assisted Living and St. Croix hospice for all the love and support they gave to Virgen and family during this journey.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Croix Hospice or the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford.

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