Suzanne "Sue" Marie Thelen

Suzanne “Sue” Marie Thelen age 64 of Elkhorn, WI died at home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Tuesday October 24, 2023.  Sue was born in Elkhorn, WI on November 21, 1958; daughter of Ruth (Mildorfer) and the late Craig Pfeiffer. Sue was raised and lived in Elkhorn all of her life and was united in marriage to Rick Thelen on May 13, 1978 at St. Patrick’s Parish of Elkhorn. Together they raised their family on the farm. Sue was well known in the community for her many talents and contributions. Early on she worked as a medical assistant at the Elkhorn Doctors Clinic. When her kids came along, she worked part time while holding the full time job of raising her kids and performing daily farm chores. As farm work lightened over the winter, Sue became an avid sheepshead card player, always making sure to provide snacks. She had a passion and an astute resourcefulness when it came to her food preparation as a cook at St. Patrick’s school and then at the Walworth County Health and Human Services senior dining (30 years of service combined between the two organizations). She shared this knowledge formally as a youth 4-H project leader, and informally later in life as she hosted “new recipe Wednesdays” for her kids and grandkids at the farm. She loved the Walworth County Fair, took interest in the Antiques judging, and could often be found gabbing away in the flowers building where she assisted in entries. Sue is no stranger to the gavel and parliamentary procedure, as she was an active leader of the Jaycees early in her life. Her involvement in leadership continued through the years. At the time of her passing, she was a member of the Board of Directors for the Walworth County Farm Bureau and President of the St. Patrick’s Parish Columbiettes.  Above all things, Sue had a great love for family, and was a passionate caretaker for her grandchildren, instilling her teachings and polite manners to the next generation.  Sue is preceded in death by her father, Craig.  She is survived by her husband, Rick; mother, Ruth; children, Sarah (Josh) Duesterbeck; Emily (Elliott) Thelen-Meyer; Jared Thelen; and grandchildren; Jacob, Charles, Evelyn, and Marlo. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory 730 N. Wisconsin Street Elkhorn, WI.  A Memorial Mass will take place on Monday October 30, 2023 at 10:00AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church 107 W. Walworth Street Elkhorn, WI.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Patrick’s Columbiettes 107 W. Walworth Street Elkhorn, WI 53121; or to The Walworth County Fair PO Box 286 Elkhorn, WI 53121.