Deanna Thelen

1951 - 2017

Deanna V. "Dee" Thelen

St. Johns

Deanna V. (Rademacher) Thelen, died Sunday, July 16, 2017 at the age of 66. She was born January 20, 1951 in St. Johns, MI  to Denis and Mary Lou (Simmon) Rademacher.  Dee was the 1st of ten children and the epitome of a daughter and big sister, always.  She married Kevin Thelen on September 30, 1972, a day that marked the beginning of an unfaltering love that grew into the kind of mutual dedication that touched the soul of anyone lucky enough to witness. Together they raised their son, Jeff (Julie) and daughter, Melanie Tamas, who along with grandsons, Josh and Logan Tamas were always the greatest joys of her life. A lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dee began her career in banking before earning her degree in teaching.  She taught at Sexton High School in Lansing, transferring to St. Johns High School where she taught Business and Computers.  As advisor of the Business & Professionals of America Club at SJHS, Dee was a true advocate and mentor of future entrepreneurs and businessmen & women. Along with her husband, children and grandchildren, Dee is survived by her dear mother, her sisters, Karla Bellingar, Linda (Dan) Rademacher, Marcia (Dan) Whitmore, Deb (Gary) Hufnagel, Sandy (Ernie) Steffen; brothers, Leon (Nancy) Rademacher and Larry (Carol) Rademacher; sisters-in-law Diane Rademacher and Rose (Darryl) Schmitz, and her Thelen family, Pete (Terrie), Paul (Sarah), Ralph (Cindy), Daniel, Fred (Jewel), Bernard and Steve (Michelle) Thelen, and Marianne (David) Kerr; many nieces, nephews and precious friends. Dee is predeceased by her father, son-in-law, Greg Tamas, brothers, Ron & Dave Rademacher, in-laws, Linus & Adeline Thelen and brother-in-law, Phil Thelen. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. Visitation will be Wednesday  2-4 and 6-8pm.  Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph School Education Fund.