Glenn H. Thiel

Glenn Thiel, 85, Bismarck, passed away on January 6, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM, Friday, January 12, at Ascension Catholic Church, 1825 S. 3^rd St., Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00PM, with a vigil service starting at 7:00PM, Thursday, January 11, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Glenn H. Thiel was born January 10, 1938 in a home in New Salem with Dr. O.C Gaebe in attendance. He was named Prince of the Year being the first boy born that year. Glenn's parents received many gifts from local businesses, the most memorable being 1/2 ton of coal. In 1940 he contracted Polio when the family lived on the Louis Waechter farm. At that time, it was called Infantile Paralysis and Glenn spent nearly four months in a body cast. Little was known about the disease at that time and he was very lucky, recovering with only the muscle of upper left arm (elbow to shoulder) which did not develop. Glenn never considered himself to be handicapped as he adjusted and learned to do most everything. He attended first grade in New Salem. In 1945, the family moved to the Adolf Slavick farm south of New Salem. Glenn grew up with his family on various farms in the New Salem and Judson area. He went to Beaver Valley School 2nd-4th grade and in 1948, his parents, Harvey and Elda purchased the Carl Westmeyer farm south of Judson. Glenn went through the 8th grade at Spring Valley Country School. He graduated from New Salem High School in 1956.

Right out of high school, Glenn worked for the Myron and Mabel Norton Dairy Farm before starting college in the fall of 1956. Glenn's grandmothers were very instrumental in insisting that he go to college as they thought having only one good arm, farming would be hard for him. College summers of 1957 and 1958 he drove truck for Loerke Brothers Construction. The summer of 1959 he started work at Franks Pharmacy in Harvey. In 1960, he graduated from the North Dakota Agricultural College with a BS Degree from School of Pharmacy, that same year he went to work for the Bismarck Hospital Pharmacy attaining the position of Assistant Chief Pharmacist. While working at Bismarck Hospital Pharmacy, Glenn met Judith Eckroth, a student nurse. Glenn and Judy married on October 5, 1963 at Christ the King Church in Mandan. They went on a honeymoon to New York and Bermuda.

In March, 1964, Glenn and Judy moved to Linton taking a job at Linton Drug. Three years later Glenn purchased half interest in the store. In 1976 Glenn sold his interest in Linton Drug. For the next two years, he did relief pharmacy duty while looking for a suitable drug store location. Glenn and Judy's two boys were born during their years in Linton. It was 1978 when Glenn and Judy opened their variety store in Harvey called Harvey Ben Franklin. They owned and managed the store for 27 years before selling the business and retiring.

In November 2005 Glenn and Judy moved to Bismarck to be closer to family. Despite being retired Glenn went to work at McDonalds on Expressway as he enjoyed being among people. He was very active in choir and cantering for mass at Church of the Ascension. Glenn also volunteered for many other activities as he liked being busy. Throughout his life, Glenn was always involved in community affairs service as an officer or chairman of numerous community projects. He was a member of Jaycee's, Eagles and a lifetime Elks Member. Glenn enjoyed camping, he and Judy started when their boys were very young and continued camping well into retirement. Judy and Glenn also traveled much of the US and Canada over the years, they liked to travel and the variety store business took them to most big cities in the U.S. to buy merchandise. Ben Franklin always stocked the newest and latest to service customers. Glenn very much enjoyed life and family was always very important.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Judy (Eckroth) Thiel; his sons, Bruce (Paz) Thiel, Crystal, MN and Darrick Thiel, special friend, Colleen King, Las Vegas; sisters, Peggy Reuther, Bismarck, Betty Moltzen, New Salem and grandchildren, Camille Grey, Miranda Thiel, Danny Alvarado and Katie Thiel.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sheila; his parents, and brothers-in law Rod Reuther and Leroy Moltzen.