Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the age of 97. She is now reunited with her loving husband Alex, who preceded her in death on August 12, 2008. Rosemary was born May 22, 1920 in Westphalia, MI the daughter of Mathias and Anna (Fedewa) Hengesbach. On April 19, 1944 she married Alexander J. Thelen. Rosemary and Alex lived on a farm outside of Fowler, and in their later years, they moved to St. Johns. Rosemary was an excellent cook and homemaker, and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She also was a very devout Catholic and prayed the rosary every day. Rosemary is survived by her seven children, Carol Thelen, Marlene (Fred) Martin, Donald (Debbie) Thelen, David (Carol) Thelen, Daniel (Lisa) Thelen, Steven K. (Beth) Thelen, and Debra Thelen. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and brother-in-law, Alfred Halfmann Jr. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Steven S. Thelen. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday, July 1, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns with her grandson, Rev. Fr. Mathias Thelen as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns. The family will receive relatives and friends 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns. A rosary will be prayed at 7:30 PM Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Families Against Narcotics, Ingham County at okemos@familiesagainstnarcotics.org.

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