Mona Thiele

Mona Velma Thiele, 93, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, at Ratliff Care Center.

She was born Feb. 3, 1927, in Zalma, Missouri, to Clyde and Stella Stephens Wilkinson. She married Loyd Dillingham Nov. 18, 1950, and five children were born to their union. Loyd preceded her in death April 29, 1962. She married Ed Thiele Nov. 16, 1968, who she was happily married to for 30 years before he preceded her in death Oct. 20, 1998.

After graduating from Zalma High School, Mona moved to Cape Girardeau to find work. She worked at Newberry's, Saint Francis Hospital and International Shoe. Many years later, she worked at Davis Electric and Florsheim Shoe, retiring at age 70.

Mona's family meant everything to her. She was very devoted to her children and grandchildren. She loved being a mother and often said the happiest time of her life was when her children were young. She loved cooking and baking for her children, grandchildren and anyone else who came to visit. The grandchildren knew they could count on Grandma having homemade cookies all the time. Mona was famous for her wonderful Sunday dinners, which usually included homemade pies and cakes. When told how delicious it was, she would always say it's just the same old grub.

One of her greatest joys in life was giving and sharing everything she had with her family and friends. She would not let any visitor leave her home empty-handed. She would offer vegetables or strawberries from her garden, eggs from her chickens, homemade jelly, baked goods or anything else she thought they could use.

Mona loved living on the farm in Egypt Mills. Her favorite place to be was in her garden. She loved nature and seeing things grow, her beautiful flowers, vegetables, fruit and nut trees and the farm crops. She enjoyed taking care of her cows and chickens and working on the farm. She seemed to never tire of hard work.

Mona was an excellent seamstress. She made a lot of her children's clothes when they were young. Never wanting to waste anything, she patched or mended anything that could be salvaged. She also enjoyed embroidering and quilting. She made each of her grandchildren a special quilt. She was very proud of her work and always did it to perfection.

There are not enough words to describe what a beautiful person Mona was inside and out. She was a loving, devoted mother and amazing role model for her children. She was honest, loyal, generous, kind, patient, humble and the most unselfish soul on earth. Mona always had the ability to overcome any obstacles in her life due to her deep faith in God, her remarkable inner strength and her love of hard work. She was a wonderful inspiration to all who knew her.

Her children will be forever grateful for the blessing of such a wonderful loving mother and amazing role model. They will always be thankful for all the valuable lessons she taught them, such as: Always be kind and respectful to everyone. Always help anyone in need even if you have very little for yourself.

Mona will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who knew and loved her. She will live forever in their hearts.

Loving survivors include her children, Janet Welter, Steve (Sue) Dillingham, Stan (Joyce) Dillingham, Roxanna (Matt) Popp and Neva Hindman; a brother, Clyde (Maxine) Wilkinson of Colorado; a sister Anita Borchelt of Cape Girardeau; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, seven sisters, two grandchildren and a son-in-law.

There will be a private graveside service at Berrong Cemetery near Zalma with the Rev. Stan Hargis officiating.

The family extends its appreciation and gratitude to Ratliff Care Center for all the wonderful loving care given Mona. A special thanks to Southeast Hospice for all the visits, phone calls and support.

The family would also like to thank the people in the community of Egypt Mills and beyond for purchasing produce from Mona's garden and all their help in past years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Southeast Missouri Food Bank, P.O. Box 190, Sikeston, MO 63801.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.