Shirley A. Tielens, 92, Town of Humboldt, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born February 23, 1931, in the Town of Humboldt to the late Clarence and Mabel (VandenBush) Deffke. She married Wallace Tielens on November 26, 1949, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Humboldt. He preceded her in death on April 20, 2005.
Shirley began working at a young age at Jandrin’s Market in New Franken and in the summer months she picked pickles for the local pickle factory. They began raising a family at a young age and finally stopped at the magic number of 15. In 1975 while raising 15 children, she, and Wally, along with their son Bruce, founded Wisconsin Express Lines. In 1985 she and Wally founded Tielens Repair Service where she was actively involved in the company until their retirement in 2003. Shirley was also a local Avon representative for over 20 years.
To say Shirley had a full 92 years would be putting it mildly. Not only active in the family business, but caring for her family every day. Sewing, cooking, canning and baking, especially her bread, which was a family favorite. Shirley had happy feet when she was dancing a polka and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Her family was her world as she was theirs. Shirley was that inspirational voice, with a compassionate heart for all her children and grandchildren. Shirley was truly the foundation of the Tielens family and her life stories will continue to be shared for generations to come. She had a strong faith and raised her family accordingly. Shirley was a longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sugarbush.
Shirley is survived by nine children: Darel (Lynn) Tielens; Nancy Roberts; Bruce (Kathy) Tielens; Dale (Stacey) Tielens; Roxy (Bob) Michiels; Mark (Connie) Tielens; Annette (Tod) Simonar; Missy (Cliff) Shreiner and Jenny (Wade) Sicklinger; two sons- in-laws: Mike Homan and Steve Metzler; one daughter-in-law, Anne Tielens; 38 grandchildren 57 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; one sister, Carol (Gabe) LeCloux and one sister-in-law, Pat Rentmeester.
She was preceded in death by an infant son, Joseph Tielens; four daughters: Julie Metzler; Mary Ann Tielens, Bonnie Homan and Sherry Van Pay; one son, Randy Tielens; three sisters: Dolores (Norman) Destree; Lucille Deffke and Mercedes (Gene) Rentmeester; brother-in-law, Leland (Bernice) Tielens.
Friends may call at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5930 Humboldt Rd. on Sunday, April 23, from 3:00-7:00 pm. The evening will conclude with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue on Monday, at Church, from 9:30-10:45 am. Funeral Mass 11:00 am Monday at the church with Rev. Carlo Villaluz officiating. Entombment at Nicolet Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be sent to the Tielens family at www.prokowall.com. In lieu of floral expressions a memorial fund has been established in her name.