Jon Robert Thelen, 81 years, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from the Sanford Hospital in Bemidji, Minnesota.  He was born on May 14, 1936 in Shelby, Nebraska to Eugene and Evelyn (Knerr) Thelen.

Jon grew up in Tenstrike, MN, California and back to Hines, MN where he lived on a farm and learned to care for farm animals and farm.  He graduated from Bemidji High School and sometime later worked for the Minnesota Highway Department.  In 1963 he joined the State Highway Patrol.  His first assignment after graduating from Patrol School was in the north metro area.  In 1967, Jon married Natalie Gomez and soon after requested a transfer, they moved to Walker, MN.  They spent nine years in Walker until Jon was promoted to Sergeant and was transferred back to the metro area.  He and Natalie spent the next 20 years in Cambridge, MN.  Upon retiring from the Patrol, Jon worked for Cat Pump until they decided to move back to Walker in 2002.

Family that passed on before him are his parents; Eugene and Evelen Thelen, sister; Mary Ann Smith, grandparents and his stepfather; Ivan Neimeyer.

Jon leaves behind his wife of 51 years; Natalie Thelen of Walker, sons; Michael (Pam) Jacobson and Kim (Nancy) Jacobson both of Coon Rapids, MN, his grandchildren; Jessica (Ryan), Jamie (Chris), Jenell, Mindy (Phil) and Jolene and two great grandchildren; Cayden and Violet.

A Celebration of Jon’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker, MN.  A one hour visitation will be held prior to services.  Pastor Matthew McWaters will officiate.  His honorary pallbearers are all his grandchildren; Jessica, Jamie, Jenell, Mindi and Jolene.  Military honors accorded by the American Legion Post 134 Honor Guard of Walker, MN.  In lieu of flowers, memorial preferred to Paws and Claws, P.O. Box 175, Hackensack, MN 56452, The Shriners Children’s Hospital, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 and the Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund, P.O. Box 2070, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

Jon’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com