Fern Theilen, 95, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Monday, June 12, 2023, at Meridian Gardens in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 16 at 10:30 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 12.5 miles north of Columbus, with Rev. Paul Rempfer and Rev. Brad Birtell officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and on Friday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Friday at 10:15 AM at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. John's Building Fund.

Fern was born August 1, 1927, in Creston, Nebraska, to Reinhold and Martha (Loseke) Engelbart. She was baptized on September 11, 1927,and confirmed her Christian faith through confirmation on March 29, 1942, both at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Creston. Fern graduated from Creston High School and on April 24, 1946, was united in marriage to Norbert Theilen in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Ilene and Norbert's brother Paul. Rev. R.L. Jobman performed the ceremony. Fern and Norbert lived on a farm south of Creston until the early 1980's when they moved to Columbus.

Fern was a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and belonged to Ladies Aid. She enjoyed gardening and was known for making cherry cheesecake, dill pickles, and her "Christmas Slush".

Fern is survived by:
Daughter - Phyllis (Cliff) Kapels of Humphrey, NE
Son - Glenn (Sharon) Theilen of Creston, NE
Son - Rodney (Randee) Theilen of Creston, NE
11 Grandchildren
26 Great Grandchildren
2 Great-Great Grandchildren
Sister-in-law - Loretta Engelbart of Leigh, NE
Brother-in-law - Dennis Zoubek of Leigh, NE

Fern was preceded in death by:
Parents - Reinhold and Martha Engelbart
Husband - Norbert Theilen
Great Granddaughter - Lynsey Kapels
Sisters - Marcella (Reinhardt) Theilen, Irene (Don) Hansen, Ilene (Paul) Theilen, and Luella Zoubek
Brother - Robert Engelbart
Parents-in-law - George and Eugenie Theilen
Brothers-in-law - Albert (Lucia) Theilen and Harold Theilen
Sister-in-law - Loretta (Carroll) Sander

Service Folder Information
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall
not want. He makes me to lie
down in green pastures; He leads
me beside the still waters. He
restores my soul; He leads me
in the paths of righteousness for
His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil; for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff they comfort
me; You prepare a table before
me in the presence of mine enemies;
You anoint my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.


In Loving Memory Of

Fern Theilen

Born
Monday, August 1, 1927
Creston, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Monday, June 12, 2023
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Friday, June 16, 2023 10:30 AM
St. John's Lutheran Church, LCMS
Rural Columbus, Nebraska

Officiants
Rev. Brad Birtell
Rev. Paul Rempfer

Music
]ulie Oehlrich – Organist
"How Great Thou Art"
"For All The Saints"
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Casket Bearers
Brad Kapels
Dan Theilen
Cory Kapels
Scott Theilen
Bryce Theilen

Honorary Casket Bearers
Kara Greisen
Kelli Reese
Kim Jenkinson
Mindy Schroeder
Amy Theilen
Ashley Goldammer

Interment
St. John's Lutheran Cemetery
Rural Columbus, Nebraska