Mary Ann Thiedeman

Mary Ann Brockelsby Thiedeman, loving wife of Merle Louis Thiedeman, was born February 14, 1934, the daughter of Aaron and Delpha (Bell) Brockelsby. She died on Friday, July 24, 2020, at NHC nursing home in Charleston, South Carolina, at the age of eighty-six.

Mary was born at home on the farm outside of Vail, Iowa. She grew up on that same farm, and graduated from Vail High School. On July 19, 1952, she was united in marriage with Merle Louis Thiedeman. She and Merle lived in Ames, Iowa for a time, before the couple returned to farm south of Westside. They were blessed with the birth of four children.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Spending time laughing and talking with family and friends was important to her. She loved her red hat group, her birthday club, various card and friend groups, as well as monthly cousin lunches. She was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, and served in every office, sometimes more than once.

Social games were also a favorite pastime of hers, including cards, chicken foot dominoes, Arizona dice game and all kinds of games. She loved reading books, and could always be found with one or two books being read at a time. She loved to crochet purses and hats and sew Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. In later years, Mary made porcelain dolls and painted landscapes.

She was a member of the United Church of Westside, and attended First Christian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. She was a faithful servant and volunteered in many church activities; teaching Sunday school, leading VBS groups, and working the church stand at the Crawford County fair, to name a few.

After retiring from farming with her husband, she enjoyed traveling around the United States and visiting loved ones. Mary and Merle enjoyed the snowbird lifestyle spending many winters in Mesa, Arizona. An annual highlight was hosting the Thiedeman family reunion at Folly Beach, South Carolina, with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and all family was always welcome!

Mary moved off the farm in 2011, after the passing of her husband. She resided at Silverridge in Denison Iowa for a time before settling in Charleston South Carolina in 2013.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Merle, her parents, Aaron and Delpha (Bell) Brockelsby, her sister Sandra (Brockelsby) Truitt, and brother-in- law Wayne Kruger (Delores). Survivors include one son, Gary Thiedeman and his wife, Jean (Oldfield) Thiedeman; three daughters: Gail Thiedeman, Terri Ryan, Karen Belden and her husband, Dean Belden. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Dawn Thiedeman Piasecki (Matt), Dirk Thiedeman (Daniella), Sara (Ryan) Hoffman (Nick), Erin Ryan, Megan Johnson, Emily Belden, Matthew Belden, Amanda Belden, and Karly Belden; and five great-grandchildren: Alexis Ryan, Zachary Hoffman, Madelyn Hoffman, Logan Piasecki and Alex Lattergrass; one sister Delores Kruger one brother Richard Brockelsby one brother-in-law Bob Truitt (Sandra), and brother and sister in law Gerald & Lila Thiedeman; other relatives and friends.

She fought a long battle with Alzheimer's. She is now at peace and rest. She is without pain, fully restored, with our Heavenly Father, and family members that have gone before her.

She requested that she be cremated and then laid to rest in the Westside Cemetery next to Merle.

If so desired, memorials could be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or the United Church of Westside, 200 Main Street, Westside Iowa 51467.