Mr. Thelen was born Nov. 17, 1920, in Shelby, Neb., to Frank J. and Valeria (Alt) Thelen.

He worked for J.C. Penney Co. in Indiana and Ohio, and managed shoe stores in Coffeyville, Hutchinson and Salina. He was a fraternal insurance counselor for the Knights of Columbus for 15 years.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral, a former lector at St. Mary’s Church and a former member of the Interparochial School Board. He was co-chairman of the first charity auction at Sacred Heart High School, development director of Sacred Heart High School and an assistant development associate of the Salina Diocesan Development Office. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Salina, served as Grand Knight in Coffeyville, was state secretary for the Kansas State Council for three years and was Master of the Fourth Degree in Kansas for four years.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in Iceland, England and Western Europe, participating in the landing in Normandy on D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge and five major campaigns in Western Europe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John; and a sister, Dolores Lux.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Salina; three sons, Dennis J. of Palm Harbour, Fla., Frank J. III of Salina and Anthony of Houston; two daughters, Mary Lou Thelen of Salina and Ann Marie Hunter of Wichita; two sisters, Marge Gabriel of Porterville, Calif., and Karen Hinricks of Columbus, Neb.; 14 grandchildren; and five great-granddaughters.

The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Ninth and Iron, Salina, with the Rev. Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Salina.

A vigil will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Junior Senior High School or Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish.