Robin Thelen

After an 18 month battle with a traumatic brain injury as a result of frosty road conditions on Stockton Hill, Sunday morning April 27th, 2025, Robin Rae Thelen continued on her journey with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to Heaven. Robin was born June 29th, 1961, in St. Louis Park, MN to Leroy Otto and Kathleen Kovak. Six months after her birth her father passed away while hunting. She never knew her real Dad and always yearned to meet him. At around age 5 or 6, she had moved from the Twin Cities to Gilmore Valley, Winona, MN, where she was raised by her step-father, Thomas Flynn, and mother, Kathy; along with her two sisters, Debbie Hicks and Toni Frederickson. Her extended family includes Debbie Flynn, Deanna Flynn, Dennis Flynn, her biological father's sister Eileen Stechmann and family, and her Aunt Donna Otto and family.

Gary Thelen, the boy next-door who she grew up with would become the love of her life and the father of her children. She would follow him to the Quad Cities in Illinois. While he worked the railroad, she raised the children and obtained her GED. Later, she divorced and obtained a Medical Assistant degree from Minnesota State College Southeast. After a short time working in an office environment, Robin figured out she was happiest in a job where she could physically work. Robin found work laboring at a few different places over the years in the Winona area; such as, the Produce and Bakery sections at Econo Foods and cleaning campus buildings at St. Mary's University. Robin's last job would be housekeeping at Winona Health where she would clean the Emergency Department, operating rooms, residents areas at Watkins Manor, and Lake Winona Manor. In all her years of working, our mother had never said she felt that she was working somewhere she felt appreciated and needed until working for Winona Health in their residents halls. She would often say she was making a difference and bringing happiness into somebody's life by just having a friendly conversation with someone living there; ironically, she would become a resident there.

Robin was a mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother who devoted her life to taking care of her body, spirit, children, and dogs. Robin played both nurturer and provider in the household. She was a housekeeper and a keeper of her house. Her greatest accomplishments were putting a roof over her head and raising her children. She would pay for her house twice between a flood and divorce to accomplish the feat. Her ability to persevere over the hardships of life can be found in her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. She often sought refuge and strength through prayer. Self-care was very important to Robin and it was evident in the way she loved herself. While taking care of her spirit she ate healthy, exercised, and treated her God given body like a temple. Although she would succumb to the vices of life from time to time, she always strove to keep her eyes toward pleasing the Lord. Her love for her children and grandchildren consumed her. The anxieties of her children were also hers. When she worried she did not worry for herself, but, for those who she loved dearly. The family would like to thank the staff at Lake Winona Manor for continuing to keep those friendly conversations and making a difference in Robin's life. We couldn't have given our mother that loving, compassionate quality of life she needed in her final months of life without you. We thank Pastor Mark Meier with Grace Lutheran in Stockton, MN for bringing the church to our mother, replenishing her spirit, and singing to her. Also, the ladies working the front desk and the Physical Therapy Staff at Gunderson Lutheran in Winona, MN. Our neighbors. You all made it possible. Our mother came far from where she started. We didn't know where she would end up. We are forever in your debt for believing with us. Thank you for your kindness, patience, and supporting all that embodies a mother's love allowing us to have the chance to give that love back to our Dear Mother. Thank you and Happy Mother's Day.

Robin is preceded in death by her biological father Leroy Otto; mother, Kathleen Flynn; the father of her children, Gary Thelen; and step-father Thomas Flynn. She leaves behind three children; Jessica Thelen; Gary Thelen (Kelli); and Tony Thelen (Alesha). Five grandchildren; Masion Thelen (Sidney), Xander, Wiscoy, Bodhi, and Leanna; and two great grandchildren; Waylon and Ivan; and of course, her hubby, hound dog, Elliot.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at Grace Lutheran in Stockton, MN. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a lunch following the service. Flower arrangements, condolences, and any other sympathies can be sent to her residence at 8770 County Road 23, Stockton, MN 55987 from where they'll be brought to the funeral service.