Friday 29th March 2024

barbara-thiel

Barbara E. “Grammy” Thiel, 91, of rural Malta Bend, died Wednesday, September 15, at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 21, at First Baptist Church in Marshall with William W. Harlow officiating.  Burial will follow in Union Cemetery in rural Malta Bend.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to Union Cemetery or the Ronald McDonald House in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home.  An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com

Born April 2, 1930, in Marshall, she was the daughter of the late Robert Leon Gauldin Jr. and Binaca Myrle Blosser Gauldin.  Barbara was proud to have lived in the rural Malta Bend area her entire life and was a graduate of Malta Bend High School.  She met her lifelong best friend, Dolly Kiser, in first grade and she preceded her in death on August 12, 2021.  While in high school she met Donald J. Thiel and they were married on March 25, 1951, and were blessed to have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.  While Don was working the family farm, Barbara’s career was taking care of the home, raising their four children and then spoiling grandkids and great grandkids.  Barbara was never idle and worked tirelessly to keep her yard mowed and manicured which she was able to do right up until just a few weeks ago.  In earlier years she helped in 4-H, was a member of the Malta Bend Garden Club, Order of the Eastern Star, and Union Baptist Church.

In addition to her husband, Don; she is survived by four children: Kathy Gauldin of Overland Park, KS; Jo Wilhite (Mike) of Overland Park, KS, Billy Thiel of Marshall and Donnie Thiel (Martene) of rural Marshall; 13 grandchildren: Karey Welch, Matt Gauldin (Erin), Robert Gauldin (Nate), Chris Wilhite (Dana), Lori Albert (Kevin), Stephanie Wilhite, Jennifer Brown (Bob), Michelle Wilhite, Lauren Payne (Nick), Joe Thiel (Tonya), Scott Thiel (Courtney), Rhett Davis and Rosalind Knehans (Cole); 16 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; as well as nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, William Gauldin; and two sisters, Clara Reece and Bobadell Killion.

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