Orville Dean Theilen

Orville Marius Dean Theilen, 83, of Nora Springs, passed away Friday, January 12, 2024 at the Nora Springs Care Center.  Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Fertile Lutheran Church, 602 W. Washington St., Fertile, IA, with Pastor Mary Findlay officiating.  Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA with military honors conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church on Thursday.

Dean was born on May 26th, 1940, in Mason City, IA to parents Albert and Anna (Nielsen) Theilen. He grew up and graduated from Mason City High School in 1958. After High School, he joined the US Navy with his best friend, Morley Lee, in February 1959 at bootcamp Allstate company 108 and served his country on the USS Douglas A. Munro (DE-422), USS Koiner (DE-331) and others until he was honorably discharged in February of 1963, as rank Bosun Mate 2nd Class.

After marrying the love of his life, Betty Miller on May 27th 1967, in Minnesota, Dean spent his working career at International Tractors, Man-An-So Feed Co, Schukei Chevrolet, and retired after 10 years with Northwestern/Holcim Cement.

Dean spent his life traveling across the US with family; camping, fishing, and sight seeing. He was a self taught craftsman, building his home in Mason City, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Fertile, Iowa, and helping his kids build their own homes. He also spent his time restoring vintage tractors, trucks, and many other projects. Dean built many woodworking projects for his family and grandchildren included. He was often told that he was a ‘Jack of all trades’ to which he responded, ‘and master of none’.

His personal motto: “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Betty of 56 years, daughter Sue Neve, son Paul Theilen(wife Barb), grandchildren Brandon Theilen, McKenzie Neve, Trevor Neve(wife Iris), Mariah Theilen(boyfriend Chase), Ryan Rague(wife Melissa) and great grandchildren Lina, Kyler, Bennett, and Korbyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Annie Theilen, sister Ruth Ward and husband Sherman, brother Albert Jr. Theilen and wife Dolly, brothers-in-law Lawrence Schroeder and Richard Howard, stepson Rick Rague, and in-laws Helen and Clyde Miller.