Karen Mae (Arlt) Thiel

Karen Mae (Arlt) Thiel was born Nov. 2nd, 1938 in Ritzville, Wash. to Harry and Verna (Amen) Arlt. She passed away peacefully Sept. 29, 2021 in her bed at the Faith Larkin Adult Care Facility in Moses Lake, due to complications related to Lewy Body dementia.

She was raised on the Arlt family farm 6 miles northwest of Ritzville. She attended Ritzville schools and graduated in 1957. She attended Washington State College for one year and then moved back closer to home to attend Kinman Business University. Upon graduation, she was hired by accountant Lee Burroughs in Ritzville.

In June 1960, she married her lifetime classmate Lamar Thiel and they moved to the family farm. A few months later, Lamar was drafted and after basic training, she followed him to Georgia. They later transferred to Fort Lewis back in Wash. for two years, during which time son Bradley was born. When Lamar completed his duty, they came back to the family farm where they lived from then on, and added a daughter, Nichole, to the family.

She and Lamar enjoyed traveling to California, the Oregon Coast, Montana, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore. Highlights of her trips included going to England, Cape Cod, and New York to visit her grandsons.

She is survived by her husband Lamar, her twin sisters, Peggy (Simmonds) and Patty (Fode), brother Dennis (Peggy Sue), son Bradley (Lorena), daughter Nichole (Pete) and grandsons Samuel and Nicholas.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane, WA 1028 W 5th Ave 99204.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tue., Oct. 12, Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville Wash., 207 East Main Ave., Ritzville.

To leave online condolences for the Thiel please visit our website at http://www.danekasfh.com.