Bertha Thielen
January 13, 1926 - August 25, 2018

Bertha Thielen, 92, of Latimer, Iowa, passed away Saturday, August 25, 2018, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. She was born on January 13, 1926, in Coulter, Iowa, to Arne and Elisabeth (Nipgaard) Ostergaard.

Bertha attended public school in Coulter until tenth grade and then graduated from Hampton High School. After graduation, she moved to California and became a nanny.

Bertha was united in marriage to Bill Thielen on October 2, 1949, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Coulter. To this union two children were born, Becky and Brent. Bertha and Bill were married for fifty-one years until Bill passed away on November 22, 2000.

She worked as a childcare provider for many years in California and Iowa. Bertha made close bonds with all of these families staying in touch throughout the years, especially Marlys Pralle and her family from Latimer.

Bertha was an accomplished seamstress that did alterations for many and was also known for her beautiful crochet name pieces that she made for family and friends, making well over three hundred and fifty. Along with crocheting and sewing, Bertha enjoyed puzzles, word searches, having coffee with her friends and spending time with her family. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Latimer, as well as a member of the ladies' aide and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Bertha is survived by her daughter Becky (Jeff) Lohrbach, son Brent (Claudia) Thielen, grandson Mike (Jen) Lohrbach and their children Eden, Ava and Ella, granddaughter Shani (Brad) Bonner and their children Brigid, Camilla and Genevieve, granddaughter Holly Thielen and her son Noah and grandson Spencer Thielen. She is also survived by her brother Bob (Sherry) Ostergaard, sister Irma Milano, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son, sister Lilly Todd, and brothers Nels Ostergaard and Kenneth Ostergaard.

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