ROBERT LYLE THOELKE

Mueller's Chapel of the Falls

Robert Lyle Thoelke (Bob) was called home to be with his Savior on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the age of 81, after a brief illness. He was born on October 14, 1929, in Bode, IA, to parents Henry John Thoelke and Anna (Opheim) Thoelke. Bob grew up in Spirit Lake, IA, and had a love for both music and sports. He became the regular organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church at the age of 12. While in grade school, he used the milk money earned from the family cow to pay for piano lessons. In high school he played basketball, golf, track, and football; and received All-State honorable mention in football. After high school, he joined the Navy and was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier The Valley Forge, a CV class ship. It was in the Navy that Bob heard the Savior's calling to become a minister. At the age of 20, Bob started dating his future wife, Nancy. Bob and Nancy were married July 5, 1953. To this union, they were blessed with eight children: Diane, Sally, Jim, Carol, Sue, Jon, Jeff, and Tom. Bob received his ministerial education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL. After graduation, Pastor Bob was called to Idaho Falls, ID where he established Hope Lutheran Church and served from 1957-1962. This church was the first of six that he shepherded, taking the family to St. John's Lutheran Church in State Center, IA (1962-1964); St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kewanee, IL (1964-1973); Messiah Lutheran Church in Buena Park, CA (1973-1977), Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Kennewick, WA (1977-1985); and Christ Lutheran Church in Veneta, OR (1986-1992). After Veneta, Bob and Nancy moved near Seattle, WA for a short time where Bob was the minister of Family and Music at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. He then retired and moved back to the Kennewick area. In retirement, Pastor served as the vacancy Pastor for Paradise Lutheran Church in Othello, WA for 3 years. Pastor Bob also had a beautiful voice and used to sing duets with wife Nancy at church on many occasions throughout his ministry.

Bob is survived by children: Diane Ouart (Mark), Kewanee, IL; Sally Gale (Jeff), Kennewick, WA; Jim Thoelke (Teresa), Kennewick, WA; Carol Mattair (Steve), Kennewick, WA; Sue Schmidt (Doug), St. Louis, MO; Jeff Thoelke, Tukwila, WA; and Tom Thoelke (Jill), Kennewick, WA. 'Grandpa Bob' also is survived by his precious seventeen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Bob is preceded in death by wife Nancy (September 21, 2006), and son Jon (January 14, 2011), as well as his parents, brothers Vernon, Paul, Richard, and sister Francis.

There will be a celebration of Bob's life on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 1:00 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2505 W. 27th Ave., Kennewick, WA, followed by a brief reception and concluding with the graveside committal at Riverview Heights Cemetery, 10th & Olympia in Kennewick. Donations made in remembrance of Bob may be mailed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and marked for its Concordia Seminary Adopt-A-Student Program; or to its Building Fund; or to the Lutheran Hour radio ministry.

[Jesus said,] 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.' John 14:27

The family is very appreciative to the physicians, nurses and staff at Kennewick General Hospital for their care to Dad over the past two weeks and to the Hospice House staff for their loving care to Pastor Bob during his final hours.

The family invites you to sign their online guest book at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com