Norma Lee Thielen, 86, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, at the Wheatland Nursing Center of Russell.

Norma was born on August 20, 1926, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Jules and Olinda (Radke) Boxberger.  She grew up in Russell, attended school there and graduated from Russell High School in1944.  After high school she graduated from the Colorado Women’s College in 1946 with an Associate Degree in Business.  She worked for P.I.E. Trucking for a short while and also worked at the Russell High School as a secretary.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Lionel Thielen on February 25, 1950 in Russell.  From this union they were blessed with 3 children Brad, Julie and Lisa.  Lionel preceded her in death on August 24, 2004.  She was a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance and active in the Alter Society where she taught religious classes for many years.  She was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.  She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Dorrance, Kansas and the Ladies Golf Association.  She enjoyed golfing, sports, KU basketball, playing bridge, dancing, socializing and entertaining at her home.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include her daughters Julie VonFeldt of Russell and Lisa Jezek and husband Ernie of Holyrood, Kansas and 4 grandchildren Erin VonFeldt, Jill, Charles and Brent Jezek.

Other family members preceding her in death were her parents, son Brad Thielen and granddaughter Darci VonFeldt.

The celebration of the funeral mass for Norma will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at the St. Mary Queen Of Angels Catholic Church in Russell with Father Charles Steier officiating.  Burial will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Dorrance, Kansas, and will immediately follow the funeral mass.  A vigil will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 10, 2012, at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Monday, December 10, 2012, at the mortuary.  The family requests that memorials be given to the Russell City Library and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the memorial service arrangements.