LAUREL — Kenneth R. Thelen, 80, Laurel, formerly of Georgia, died March 17, 2025, at Hillcrest Care Center, Laurel.

Funeral services will occur at a future date with burial of his cremated remains in Shelby.

Kenneth Richard was born May 1, 1944, in Shelby, to Richard and Elaine (Hasselbalch) Thelen. He grew up in Shelby, and graduated from Shelby High School. He attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, for a year then started his working career as a clothing sales representative. He married Deanna Marie Johanson Dec. 28, 1963, in Shelby. He and Deanna moved to Georgia, where he managed housing sub-divisions in gated communities, retiring in 2021. Deanna died June 29, 2022. Ken then moved to the Hillcrest Nursing home in Laurel in January 2025, to be near his son, Todd.

Ken had a strong faith and was very involved in his church. He sang in a senior quartet at a time when his wife played the piano for them.

Ken is survived by three children, Todd (Tammy) Thelen, Concord; Tammy (Greg) Weniger, Georgia; Traci (Jake) Hamilton, Acworth, Ga.; 11 grandchildren, Tressa (Tim) Thill, Terra (TJ) Rexilius, Tia Thelen, Ashleigh (Tyler) Thomas, Brooke (Johnny) Rysdyk, Jordan (Chelsea) Weniger, Scott (Hailey) Weniger, Madison (Nick) Rosalen, Kennedi (Andrew) Moore, Jonah Hamilton and Teaghan Hamilton; 18 great-grandchildren; six siblings, Connie (Bob) Bright, Bellwood; Bob Thelen, Weslaco, Texas; Pam (Dexter) McCollum, Schuyler; Dan (Neenah) Thelen, Stromsburg; Roxanne (John) Rasmussen, Shelby; Dena (Al) Davis, Shelby; and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Elaine; wife, Deanna; and two brothers, Billie and David Lee Thelen.