Nina Sue Thielsen, 83, of Flandreau, SD passed away at her home on May 31, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 14, 2024 at Flandreau United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:45 PM on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau.
Nina was born on September 16, 1940, to Harry and Nina (Lee) Petersen in Flandreau, SD, the fifth of seven siblings and grew up on the farm north of Flandreau and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1958, She attended SDSU in Brookings, SD, for one year with her high school sweetheart Marlon (Lonnie) Thielsen.
Lonnie and Nina were united in marriage on March 18, 1960, and settled on their farm, adding to their family with two boys, Brian and Brad.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church and active member of the Ladies’ Aide. She was also an active 4-H leader and Friend of 4-H. The Thielsens became synonymous with Suffolk sheep, attending numerous county and state fairs, parking their pick-up camper at the South Dakota State Fair for many years. They held sheep showing clinics on the farm for FFA and 4-H.
Nina worked alongside Lonnie, and eventually the boys on the farm until 2000. She was a life-long resident of Flandreau, a walking historian of families. She worked at the Moody County Courthouse, Ramsdell F & M, and in her later years she worked part-time for the Cenex Cooperative.
Her home was always a welcoming place, where friends and family gathered often for a cup of coffee and a treat. She enjoyed visiting with everyone and truly listened to each person, recalling that information in later conversations. She looked forward to her weekly coffee gatherings with friends.
She was known as Grandma and Gigi to her seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren who adored her, and she was always up for a game of Skip-Bo, Uno, or Scrabble although it was hard to beat her! She also loved fishing (or really just watching the grandkids and great-grandkids). She loved sharing life’s moments with her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren learned much about the history of family, and her open arms were always waiting for a hug.
She is survived by her loving son, Brian (April) Thielsen, Flandreau, and daughter-in-law, Becky (Thielsen) Ness, Minneapolis, MN, her siblings, Don (Carol) Petersen, Dorothy Dechiro, Doug (Susie) Petersen, and Helen Nass (friend Ron Hexum), seven grandchildren, Aaron (Bethany) Thielsen, Travis Thielsen (girlfriend Richelle Browne), Tyler (Christa) Thielsen, Anissa (Roope) Reko, Kara (DJ) Deeth, Melissa (Evan) Giannelli, Lee (Maggie) Schenkel, 17 great- grandchildren, and grandson-in-law, Chad Boetger.
Nina was preceded in death by her husband Lonnie Thielsen, son Brad Thielsen, her parents, brother Fred Petersen, sister Harriet Whitesell, and brothers-in-law Gary Nass, Neil Whitesell, and Joe Dechiro.
