Irene Rose Thelen

Long time Carmel resident Irene R. Thelen left this earth for her eternal adventure on October 20, 2015 after a long and successful life. She was a dedicated Catholic and a parishioner at the Carmel Mission since 1958 after she and her late husband, Emil P. Thelen, M.D., moved to Pebble Beach with their three children from the East Coast after Dr. Thelen left the U.S. Navy for private practice following a neurosurgical conference on the West Coast. Both Irene, an Iowa farm girl, and Emil, a Nebraska farm boy, recognized that wintertime on the Monterey peninsula was only slightly more temperate than the Midwest. Irene met the love of her life, Emil, in Chicago when Irene was attending nursing school and he was in medical school. They married shortly thereafter and Emil died unexpectedly in 1963, leaving Irene to raise her three boys as a single parent. By all accounts, she did a fine job. Irene had a full life. She was a flight attendant for United Airlines when flight attendants, for a brief period of time in the U.S., were required to be registered nurses as well. Following Emil's death, Irene took a refresher course, obtained her California nursing license and returned to nursing for many years. Irene was born in Spring Grove, Minnesota, in 1917 and was pre-deceased by her parents, John and Katherine Schulte, as well as her four siblings, Sister Mary Eileen, Bonnie Fritz, Florence Crawford and Ray Schulte. Irene is survived by her three sons and their spouses, E. Michael Thelen, M.D. and Charlene (Granite Bay), Dennis R. and Terry Thelen (Bakersfield) and Greg T. and Shelly Thelen (Carmel Valley), as well as by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Irene loved living in Carmel and in her later years, especially loved the tranquility of her garden and trying to find that one of a kind bargain at a garage or estate sale. She was an avid bridge enthusiast and enjoyed playing with her many bridge partners beginning with the Junipero Serra Mother's Club and continuing on for many years thereafter. Mom's intentions were always good and she lived a virtuous and honest life. A devout Catholic, she is now reunited with all of her beloved family in heaven. The family especially thanks the wonderful caregivers at The Cottages of Carmel, where Irene lived the last two and a half years of her life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carmel Mission in Irene's name, if so desired. A visitation and rosary service will take place at the Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA on October 28, 2015 from 5-6 pm with rosary at 6:00 p.m. and funeral mass will be held at the Carmel Mission Basilica, 3080 Rio Road, Carmel, CA on October 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a brief graveside service.