As Paul was heading to work, he died from injuries he sustained in a pedestrian/car accident in Maple Grove on Friday morning, November 4, 2011, at the age of 60.
Funeral service was 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 9, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastor Kendall Stelter officiating; a member of the Interact Theater gave memories of Paul; nephew, Brian Thielke read a tribute that was written by niece, Lindsay Olsen and niece, Pastor Anne Veldhuisen read the scriptures; Deb Lewis accompanied the singing of “Beautiful Savior” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and for Jeanne Peterson singing “Jesus Loves.” His nieces and nephews were casketbearers and interment was in Grace Cemetery.
Paul Allen Thielke was born on April 24, 1951, in the hospital in Madison, MN, the son of Delbert and Myra (Iverson) Thielke. He was baptized on June 3, 1951, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dawson by Pastor Robert Otterstad and confirmed in a class of 30 at Grace Lutheran Church on May 14, 1967, by Pastor Leonard Smestad and Pastor Cyrus Solberg. Paul spent his adult years living in Willmar, St. Cloud and Twin City communities, where he worked in several shelters. He also worked doing different tasks in several theaters in the Twin City area. He was currently a performing member at the Interact Theater, a center for the visual and performing arts. He was active with this group for the last three to four years and loved every moment of it. Paul acted and danced on stage with his fellow actors and singers. He was currently rehearsing for the Christmas season performance of "Joy," a holiday cabaret. His staff is thankful for his service at Interact Theater in Minneapolis where he had many friends. Paul had been living with his brother, Scott, in Maple Grove. He enjoyed listening to his vast record and CD collection, watching television, and visiting with people.
He is survived by his father, Del and step-mother, Anna Mae Thielke of Dawson; sister and brother, Jane (Steve) Rekstad and Scott Thielke, both of Maple Grove; 2 nieces and 2 nephews: Lindsay (Andrew) Olsen of Maple Grove, Eric Rekstad, Pastor Anne (Kevin) Veldhuisen of Vernon, FL and Brian Thielke of Maple Grove; friend, Mary Thielke of Fridley; 8 step-brothers and step-sisters: Robert (Candice) Thorson of St. Cloud, Mary Ann (Dean) Harley of Port Lavaca, TX, Donald (Nancy) Thorson of Lake Park, Margaret Clausen of Minneapolis, Marjorie (Brad) Beal of Wheaton, Thomas (Lorraine) Thorson of Colorado Springs, CO, Marie Rolfsmeier of Arizona City, AZ, and James (Jean) Thorson of Morris; 2 aunts: Alice Thielke of Milbank, SD, and Carol Iverson of Plymouth; other family and many friends.
Preceding him in death were his mother, Myra, on December 28, 1977; a sister in infancy; grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.