Obituary: Mary Lou Thiel

Mary Lou Thiel, 89, formerly of Hilbert and Sherwood, died Saturday, November 9, 2024. She was born March 1, 1935 in Forest Junction, WI. to Ed and Leona (Carney) Brochtrup. She was a graduate of Brillion High School, class of 1953. 

She married Ronald Thiel, son of Peter and Rose Thiel of St. John, on August 18, 1959 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brillion. She was a member of St. John-Sacred Heart Church and the St. John Christian Mothers Society. 

Mary Lou was a stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed family, friends, card group, sewing, volunteering, and puzzles. 

Survivors include four sons and two daughters: Romy (Joan), Black Creek, LuAnn (Keith) Turner, Vancouver, WA., Dennis (Amy), Brillion, Douglas (Janice), Hilbert, Grace (Stephen) Honnef, Denmark, Roger (Gail), Wrightstown. She is also survived by a son-in-law: Phil Nett; 15 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren (and one on the way!), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by her brother: Ken (Bernice) Brochtrup of Reedsville. 

She was preceded in death by an infant son: Dale, in 1964; husband: Ronald, in 2004; daughter: Sharon Nett, in 2024; brothers and their spouses: Robert (Jeanette) and James (Betty and Rita); her parents; as well as her mother-in-law and father-in-law. 

Relatives and friends may call at the Pielhop Funeral Home in Brillion from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. A prayer service will conclude the visitation at 7:00 p.m. There will be a second visitation on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at St. John-Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, St. John Catholic Church, on County B and BB in St. John, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial with her cousin Father Willard Van De Loo and Father Mike Betley officiating. Burial will take place following Mass in the church cemetery.

 Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pielhop.com. 

A special thank you to St. Paul Elder Services, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Paul Elder Services, The American Cancer Society, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

The Pielhop Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.