Navigation

Obituary: Nancy Rae Thiele

January 4, 1946~May 12, 2021

Nancy Rae Thiele, 75, of Washington Island, died on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 to reunite with her beloved line dancing partner, waiting for their next Boot Scootin Boogie in Heaven.

Nancy was born January 4, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Violet (McDonald) and James Llewellyn. She grew up on Washington Island, “all the way out by Jackson Harbor”, and graduated from Washington Island High School in 1964, which she loved to boast, “in the top ten of my class… of ten!” In the spring of 1965 at Nelson’s Hall, she met the love of her life, Allen Thiele, who was stationed at Plum Island Coast Guard Station. Allen and Nancy were married September 17, 1966 and began their fantastic adventures together. She always felt it was her destiny to be on an island, as both of her children were born on islands: daughter, Delia, on Kauai, Hawaii and son, Patrick, on Staton Island, New York. Nancy had a variety of jobs over the years, such as spot-welding net hooks on basketball hoops, display manager for Montgomery Wards, tax preparation for H&R Block, working at the Washington Island Observer and Mission Builders, where after long days of construction, Nancy and Allen would invite coworkers over to wind-down with cool, tasty beverages and snacks, later to be named, “The Lutheran Hour”.

In 2017, Nancy and Allen built their forever home on Washington Island. They both loved looking out the window from their home on Swenson Road and watching all the activity and breathtaking sunsets. They held many Lutheran Hours on their front porch, where passersby could honk, wave, or sometimes stop in to be a part of the festivities. Nancy was always upbeat, loved to have fun, and welcomed anyone who wanted to join the gathering to rejoice and give thanks to God.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Delia (Tom) Corbley; son, Patrick (Jennifer) Thiele; three grandchildren, Nicholas, Alick, and Jacob Corbley; brother, David (Cheryl) Llewellyn; brothers-in-law, Chuck (Kathy) Thiele and Bill (Kitty) Thiele; so many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many close friends that she considered to be family that cannot all be named without doubling the size of this announcement but are all very, very loved and deeply appreciated.

Nancy’s life will be honored with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 on Washington Island at Nelson’s Dock in Jackson Harbor. She and Allen will be laid to rest in the Washington Island Town Cemetery following the service. Visitation for family and friends will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Staying true to her generous nature, she wished for memorial contributions be made to Door CANcer, Inc., St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Casperson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Sister Bay is assisting the Thiele family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Nancy can be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.