Melvin Thiel

Nov. 20, 1927-Sept. 27, 2023

Melvin Lloyd Thiel, 95, Rugby, died Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the Heart of America Medical Center.

Melvin was born in Kramer, North Dakota, the eldest child of Henry and Josephine (Keck) Thiel. He married BettyAnn Marie Spokely on July 4, 1948, in Bottineau, North Dakota, and they celebrated 75 years together this summer.

His childhood was spent in Kramer, and when prompted had stories of helping widows with coal for their heat, visiting the blacksmith shop, witnessing the local bank robbery and teaching Sonny Sonnenberg to swear. His work took him to West Fargo, Rugby, several years on the road, and eventual retirement, back in Rugby. He enjoyed hunting and specially fishing for as long as health allowed, and recently spent his time keeping track of the progress of various construction projects in his local community.

His survivors are his wife, BettyAnn, children, Vicki Hoffart, Wayne (Ruth) Thiel, and Glen (Helga) Thiel, Jerome (Kim) Thiel, and Teri (Mark Ellis) Xavier, son-in-law, Wayne (Elaine Cofell) Axtman, and 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, daughter, Myra Axtman, grandson, Michael Thiel, great-granddaughters, Emily and Savanah Thiel, brother and sister-in-law, Laurence and Lois Thiel, and sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and George Hanson.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rugby on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Persilla Watts Cemetery. Friends may call at the church after 12:30 on Tuesday.

Niewoehner Funeral Home – www.niewoehnerfh.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, Sept. 30, 2023.