Richard “Dick” Thiel, age 70, of Plymouth, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away on
June 12, 2022 at the Aurora Zilber Family Hospice Center in Wauwatosa.
Dick was born in Whitefish Bay on February 28, 1952, a son of the late Clarence and Dolores (Rouse)
Thiel. He graduated from Random Lake High School in 1970 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts
Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Associates Degree in Printing from Lakeshore
Technical College.
On February 14, 1976, Dick married the love of his life, Ellen Seefeldt, at Holy Name Catholic Church in
Sheboygan. Together, they grew their family, first with a daughter, Shannon, and later a son, Aaron. Dick
loved his family immensely and took joy in them throughout his life.
Dick spent his entire career working for Badger Tag and Label, a family-owned company started by his
grandfather and passed down through the generations. He started as a teenager sweeping floors and
eventually served as vice president. Dick was a born salesman and relished his role as such at the
company.
Outside of work, Dick spent his time supporting his great passions: art, his Christian faith, music, and his
family. Dick was a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Sheboygan Visual Artists and dabbled in
acrylics from time to time. He spent many years as a prison ministry volunteer, playing live music for
inmates at the Sheboygan County Jail and Kettle Moraine Correctional Institute. With longtime
accomplice Gerry “OG” Kennedy, Dick performed in the local supergroup “The OldFolkrz” at small
venues throughout the Sheboygan area. Most of all, Dick loved spending time with his loving family,
especially in his role as “Opa” to his grandchildren.
During his illness, Dick never lost sight of his Lord and Savior. He spoke often to others about his faith in
God, and of his belief that Salvation is offered to us all through the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the
Cross as payment for our sins. His faith never wavered, and his belief never failed. They remained strong
until the very end, when he closed his eyes to this world and walked through the gates of Heaven to
receive his crown.
Dick is survived by: His beloved wife: Ellen; Two children: Shannon (Adam) Anderson of Eagan, MN, and
Aaron (Bridget Brown) Thiel of Milwaukee; Grandchildren: Alex and Avary Anderson, and Malachi and
Ellison Thiel; Brother: Robert (Jill) Thiel of Random Lake; Sister-in-law: Nancy Seefeldt (Cathy Lanctot) of
Sheboygan; Brothers-in-law: Brian (Chong) Seefeldt of San Francisco, CA, and Steven Seefeldt of
Milwaukee; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and father and mother-in-law: Leroy and Herta Seefeldt.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held on Wednesday (June 29, 2022) at the Suchon Funeral Home in
Plymouth. Visitation will take place from 4:00-6:00PM, with a prayer service to follow at 6:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Dick’s name to Sheboygan Visual Artists.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is assisting the family. For online
condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
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