Mary Ellen Thein

Mary Ellen Thein peacefully passed away at her home on November 13, 2018 with her husband at her side. For her 82 years, Mary Ellen made the world a better place. She was born and lived in Strawberry Point, Iowa and is a member of the 1955 graduating class of Strawberry Point High School and St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was a devoted quality control inspector for Amoco Foam Products in Oelwein until her retirement. Mary Ellen married her high school sweetie, James Thein, in 1956 after courting him with robust games of checkers and her leopard print jacket.

She is preceded in death by her father, Vincent Pugh; her mother, Gladys Pugh; her three horses, Missy, Star, and Sonny; and countless nameless stray cats for which she provided food and shelter. She is survived by her husband, James, who loved her more in her final days than even those in the beginning; her only child, Debbie Recker, who inherited her mother's compassionate heart; and her son-in-law, James Recker, a direct beneficiary of that compassionate heart. Affectionately known in her early grandmother years as Nan, she is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Brandon Brown and his wife, Caitlin Brown; Nichole Bronner and her husband, Scott Bronner; Halicia Brown; Kenndon Recker; Megghan Recker; Madison Recker; and Malorei Recker. Mary Ellen's warm spirit will also be carried on by her two surviving great-grandchildren, Van Brown (Brandon and Caitlin) and Brynnley Recker (Kenndon).

Her hobbies included keeping her husband in line, cornering anyone who would listen to her talk about her family, and stocking her bottomless purse.

Our hearts are heavy but filled with her love and memories.

Memorial Visitation: 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein.
There will be no funeral service.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com