Howard Joseph Thielen

Howard Thielen, of Granite Falls, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2026 at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center at the age of 92.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Granite Falls Lutheran Church with burial in the Granite Falls City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2026 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Granite Falls with a prayer service at 6:45 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

The family kindly requests that guests wear casual attire to both the visitation and funeral service.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Avera@Home SWMN.

Arrangements are with Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Granite Falls. www.andersontebeest.com

Howard Joseph Thielen Jr. was born on November 16, 1933, in Shakopee, MN, to Howard and Dorothy (Jansen) Thielen. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Catholic Church in Shakopee. Howard attended school in Granite Falls and Sacred Heart through the ninth grade before beginning work on the railroad. He worked on the railroad until entering the United States Army, where he proudly served his country from 1956 to 1958 and was honorably discharged.

On February 21, 1956, Howard was united in marriage to Mavis Kramer at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. While Howard was serving in the Army, the couple made their home in Fort Hood, TX. Following his military service, they lived in Sacred Heart before settling in Granite Falls, where they raised their four children: Rick, Deb, Lori, and Larry. During his years in Granite Falls, Howard worked at Granite Motors for 35 years, followed by three years at Skyway Ag and 25 years at Project Turnabout.

Howard had a great love for the outdoors and for working with his hands. He was a talented woodworker who crafted many pieces of furniture and countless other projects. An avid hunter and fisherman, there were few types of game that Howard did not pursue. He even taught himself taxidermy and preserved many of his own trophies over the years. A true handyman, Howard could fix nearly anything and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Above all else, Howard cherished time spent with his family. Whether traveling to Lake Mary, gathering for family meals, or simply enjoying one another's company, being with the people he loved most brought him great joy.

Howard is survived by his children, Rick (Laurie) Thielen, Deb (Dan) Agre, Lori Knutson, Larry (Jackie) Thielen; grandchildren, Chase (Jenna) Thielen, Nicki (Jerod) Jakel, Ryan (Sarah) Dambroten, Kayla (Chris) Dambroten, Joseph (Brooke) Dambroten, Rachel (Jeremy) Steenerson, Lacey (Kurtis) Knutson, Gunnar Knutson, Claressa (Mike) Kent, and Cassie (Cody) Speh; great-grandchildren, McCoy, McKinlee, EmmyLou, Remington, Wyatt, Weston, Rowdy, Ruger, Riverly, Buck, Bennett, Brynley, Reagen, Eleanor, Everly, Harper, Mason, Colstan, Maelin, Ezra, and Titus; great-great-grandchild, Keliann; brother, Skip Thielen; sister, Sharon Kremer; god-child, Troy Thielen; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mavis; sons-in-law, Sam Knutson & Russ Knutson; sister, Margie in infancy; and brothers, Don, Richard and Jack.