Mary Ellen (Kinzer) Thiem

Mary died Friday, December 11, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Columbus.

Mary Ellen (Kinzer) Thiem was born February 1, 1934 in Duncan, Nebraska to Edward and Imogene (Lohr) Staroscik. She attended school in Duncan, Nebraska. Mary was united in marriage to Charles (Chuck) Kinzer on February 7, 1950. They lived in Duncan and finally made Columbus their home. Mary and Chuck were married for 39 years. After Chuck's death she married Duane Thiem in 1991. Mary was a founding member of St. Isidore Church, a member of the Christian Mothers and Catholic Daughters, various bible study groups, RENEW and Christians Encounter Christ.
Mary worked for Becton-Dickinson for over 29 years and then part-time at Schweser's. In their younger years Mary and Chuck were avid square dancers. Mary had a passion for family history and many have enjoyed the genealogy books she published. Shortly after Chuck's death, Mary made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Mary's pride and joy was her family.

She is survived by:
Daughter: Marilyn (Steve) Woerth of Brownville, NE
Son: Ed (Teri) Kinzer of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Kathy (Clark) Wilke of Osmond, NE
Son: Charles Jr. (Deb) Kinzer of Papillion, NE
Daughter: Patti (Todd) Stuthman of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Joni (Joe) Moore of Waukee, IA
15 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
Step-Daughter: Frances (David) Stokes of Lincoln, NE
Step-Son: John (Donna) Thiem of Columbus, NE
Step-Daughter: Joan (Mark) Bomark of Cheyenne, WY
Step-Daughter-in-law: Tammi Thiem of Genoa, NE
Step-Daughter: Patty (Todd) Finkral of Columbus, NE
Step-Daughter: Christine Casper of Denver, CO
Step-Son: Mike (Chyla) Thiem of Petersburg, NE
21 Step-Grandchildren and 23 Step-Great Grandchildren
Sister-in-law: Charlotte Staroscik of Columbus, NE
Sister: Rita Smith of Cincinnati, OH
Sister: Janet (Chris) Hoer of Duncan, NE
Brother: Robert (Gail) Staroscik of Columbus, NE

She was preceded in death by:
Parents: Edward and Imogene Staroscik
Husbands: Charles Kinzer Sr. in 1989 and Duane Thiem in 2006
Brother: Emil Staroscik
Brother-in-law: Don Smith
Step-Son: Steve Thiem

Memorials may be directed to the St. Isidore Church Stained Glass Fund