Beverly "Bev Thelen" Thelen

Mary Beverly Thelen, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to all who knew her, passed away peacefully October 16, 2016, in Martinsville, Indiana. Born October 26, 1922, in Cumberland, Maryland, she was raised by her wonderful parents, Marietta Brockey and Truman Kemp. She met Vernon Nicholas "Nick" Thelen at a USO dance during World War II and they married May 6, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland. After the war, Bev and Nick bought a home near Nick's mom in Oak Lawn, Illinois. While in Oak Lawn they had four children, Tom, Bob, Mary Catherine, and Mike. In 1961, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, following Nick's job with Argonne, and shortly thereafter, a fifth child was born, Jim. It's hard to imagine that trip across the country – pregnant, with four children, and no air conditioning. Mom wasn’t a complainer, though, and cars didn't have air conditioning in those days. We all survived, a tribute to hers and Nick's patience! Soon after their arrival they purchased a home on 15th Street, where they lived happily for 47 years. In 2009, due to poor health, they moved to Martinsville, Indiana, where they lived with their son, Bob, and his wife, Bonnie. Beverly loved people and loved to cook. Her cooking skills were par-excellence, and there are many happy memories from time spent around the dining room table, where lively conversation was the rule of the day. Not only was she a great cook, but her generosity, kind heart and ability to listen, made hers a home where people loved gathering. Seldom was there a holiday she didn't invite someone with no place to go. Those in need of an ear and a sweet roll found solace in her care. Beverly loved music and she and Nick were skilled square dancers. All her children remember Dad sweeping Mom into his arms for a dance around the living room when a favorite song came on the radio. She loved playing bridge and belonged to a women's league for many years. She was also a rock hound and loved spending time in the mountains. When she and Nick retired, they spent many happy times at their cabin in Island Park and later at their cabin outside Salmon. If Beverly had one defining characteristic, it was that she was a devout Catholic. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for many years and later Christ the King. She spent many hours making rosaries for those in need. Quick to offer help whenever the church needed her, her many long friendships are a tribute to her faith and generous heart. Beverly is survived by son, Robert (Bonnie), daughter, Mary Catherine (Steve) Rounds, son, Michael (Andrea), James (Deana), and daughter-in-law, Janice, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas, and eldest son, Thomas. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 21, 2016 at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 9th & Lee, with Father Raul Covarrubias officiating. Rosary services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 20th, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge, Idaho Falls, with visitation following until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park. A gathering with light lunch for family and friends will be held following the graveside services, at Wood Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The City of Refuge, 840 Park Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83402-3409.

Funeral Mass