Carole Thelen of Redfield, SD, passed away on Feb 6, 2025, at the age of 88. Carole was born on July 16, 1936, in Monroe, SD, to Lucas and Minnie (Doeden) Muller. She graduated from Parker High School and married her high-school sweetheart, Russell Beier in 1955. Before settling in East Grand Forks, MN, they lived in Connecticut, Hawaii, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Together, they had three children - Brian, Shelly, and Barry. Following Russ's unexpected death at a young age, Carole - who had been a stay-at-home mom - got her first driver's license at 46, and after trying out various jobs, ended up at the University of North Dakota Bookstore until her retirement. After reconnecting at a Parker High School Reunion, she married Richard Thelen on June 3, 2006, in East Grand Forks and moved to Redfield, where she lived until her death. Together, Carole and Richard enjoyed traveling around the country and to Florida each winter as well as spending the summer at the Star Lake cabin.

Carole loved her family and friends, serving at her church, reading, crafts - and stopping at every garage and yard sale she could find to add to her collection of antique roosters. So many roosters. She also loved to travel and see new places, but no place could compare to the beloved family cabin on Star Lake, MN. Every moment she was able, of every summer since 1965 when it was purchased, was spent there. To say it was her "happy place" would be an understatement.

Remaining to cherish Carole's memory are her husband, Richard Thelen; her daughter and son-in-law, Shelly and Mark Johnson; grandsons, Matthew and Timothy (Andrea); Richard's children, Mike (Vicki) Thelen, Jeff (Dottie) Thelen, Patrick (Brittany Hansen) Thelen, and Jill (Steve) Leddy; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding Carole in death are her first husband, Russell Beier; sons, Brian and Barry; great-granddaughter, Grace Hope Johnson; parents, Lucas and Minnie Muller; and her sister, Delna Beckstrom.

Carole's visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, at the Redfield Methodist Church in Redfield.  Pastor Melissa Rowenhorst will officiate. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service in the church hall.  Burial will take place at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery in East Grand Forks, MN.

Both the prayer service and funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's website below Carole's obituary. Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com) has been entrusted with arrangements.