Evelyn (Riechers) Thielemann

Evelyn Thielemann, 93, of Brenham passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Silver Sage Assisted Living Center.

Evelyn was born on August 4, 1930, to Charlie Sr. and Olga (Wagner) Riechers, in the Sandy Hill community. She was baptized on September 14, 1930, at St. John Lutheran Church by Rev. Paul Gogolin and was confirmed in that same church on March 25, 1945, by Rev. Gogolin. Her confirmation verse was Matthew 5:6 stating, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst, for they shall be filled.” She attended Sandy Hill and Prairie Hill schools and on May 1, 1943, she received The American Legion Certificate of School Award for ranking first in her class. After that year, however, she was not able to continue her education because she was needed to help on the family farm. After several years working on the farm, she found a job at the Sisters of St. Francis Hospital and then for Dr. Robert A. Hasskarl, where she remained during her working years. On November 24, 1951, she received her LVN license.

On May 28, 1950, Evelyn was married to Walter F. Thielemann at St. John Lutheran Church, also by Rev. Paul Goglin. This union was blessed with three children: Glenda Joy, Arlen Ross, and Tricia Leigh. It was at this time she decided to leave her job to stay home and take care of the children. Like so many women of her generation, she realized her most important job was to be a mother and homemaker. And what a job she did – three hot meals a day for her husband and children, keeping a spotless house, tending to all the scrapes and bruises that came along, giving out praise when warranted and a spanking when needed (If it was really bad, it was – “Wait ‘til your father gets home!”), and teaching right from wrong in her own quiet way.

Then, in 1956, new duties were added as Walter and Evelyn founded Walter Thielemann Construction which is known today as Thielemann Construction Co. In those early days while working from home, she assisted Walter in the business by doing all the secretarial and bookkeeping work. The business grew and eventually other employees were hired, but Evelyn continued to gather and distribute the mail, process banking needs, and run other errands up until the age of ninety-one. Throughout the years, you might have seen her driving her gold mini-van up and down S. Market Street and around town on those errands.

Another important part of Evelyn’s life was her faith and church involvement. She was a lifetime member of St. John Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir for many years, was a member of the Women of the ELCA and served on other appointed committees. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years.

As the family grew, she had grandchildren and great-grandchildren to dote on as well. She loved caring for and cooking for them. Her “MeMe” meals were more sought after than any restaurant meal in town. It also allowed her to attend their school achievements and countless sports activities, just as she had done for her own children, always arriving well before the starting time. To MeMe ten minutes early was late to anything she attended. She was most in her element at family gatherings, where she could cook for everyone and just watch the chaos of young children running and playing everywhere while the adults enjoyed family time together playing all sorts of games. She would quietly go about tending to everyone and taking it all in.

She enjoyed bowling and competed in leagues for decades only deciding to stop when she approached her 90th birthday which is amazing in and of itself. An avid puzzler, she would frame the finished puzzles and have them hanging all around her garage walls. If you spent any length of time in Brenham, you would know that she was the “Queen” of garage sales too. She loved having them for the family throughout the years and ran them meticulously and in order just like her home. Another pastime she enjoyed was playing cards and dominoes. In the early years, she and Walter would have Friday night dinners with friends, playing games afterwards. Later in life, it was cards and dominoes with family.

To an abundant life, well lived. Though we will miss her, we praise God for our time together and the example she set of faith, family, and a lifetime of service to others.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Glenda, and husband David Stegent; Tricia and husband, Scott Schroeder; son, Arlen and wife, Heather VanDyke Thielemann, all of Brenham. Grandchildren: Ryan Stegent and wife Kristin; Corey Stegent and wife Kristi; Brooke Huckert and husband Darren; Shea Carter and husband Daniel; Dillon Thielemann & fiancé Kacy Dunn, Addison Thielemann; Makenna, Hayden, and Evan Schroeder. Great grandchildren: Manning, Rhythm, Tapestry, Cherish, Liberty, Jubilee, Mercy, Treasure, River, and Bravely Stegent; Ethan and Olivia Stegent; Swayzee, Harper, Reegan, and Cooper Huckert. Sisters-in law and brothers-in-law; Elverna Borchardt of Brenham, Elaine Thielemann and husband Ralph Grinde of Cat Spring and Wilbert and Dinora Thielemann of Katy. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, parents-in-law Herbert and Else Thielemann, brothers: Ervin Riechers, Burney Riechers, Charlie Riechers, Jr.; sister Dorothy Luedke; brothers-in-law; Gerald Luedke, Milton Thielemann, Roy Bockhorn, and Herman Borchardt; and sisters-in-law; Theckla Riechers, Lorene Riechers, Mary Ann Riechers and Vada Bockhorn.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Stegent, Corey Stegent, Dillon Thielemann, Hayden Schroeder, Evan Schroeder, Darren Huckert, and Daniel Carter.

The family wishes to express their love & gratitude to Carolyn Coleman for the wisdom, care, and compassion shown over the past six months as Evelyn’s personal caregiver. We would also like to thank CaTorrie Fielder, Equilla Parker and the entire staff at Silver Sage. We are forever grateful for the many ways that each of you loved and cared for her during this time.

A visitation is planned for Thursday, September 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel. The celebration of life will be held Friday, September 8, at 10 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill with Rev. Norman Sulaica, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Hill Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church Prairie Hill, 6605 Old Independence Rd. Brenham, TX 77833; Amedisys Hospice Care, 226 S. Live Oak Bellville, TX 77418; or a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham.