Isla Lyon Thiel, 101, formerly of Eau Claire, died on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at the American Lutheran Home in
Menomonie.
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Isla Lorraine Dodge was born to Ben and Hilda (Ausland) Dodge on May 7, 1910, in Chetek. She grew up on the family farm, attended Hillcrest School and as a young woman worked in Chetek.
From the beginning, life had a way of demanding more of her than she would ever have expected of herself. When Isla was just a child, her father handed her the reins of an unbroken team and told her to take them back to the barn, because he had been called away from the farm. She had no idea whether she would be able to do it, and yet she found a way. At the age of 15, Isla left school to care for her younger brothers and sisters when her mother fell ill. Once again she found a way -- a theme that ran like a thread throughout her life. |
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Her values were those of the sturdy farm girl she was: Work hard, and don't stop until the job is done. Plant a garden and preserve the harvest. Feed the family - and anybody else who shows up at the table. Help others whenever you can. Don't let anything go to waste, especially love.
On March 30, 1931, Isla married Alvah D. Lyon in Center City, Minn. They moved to Eau Claire in 1940 and built a home on London Road. She was a wife, mother, homemaker and friend. No one ever came to visit and left hungry. She took in work as a seamstress because it enabled her to take care of her family and still contribute to the family income. Isla's work was always in demand -- she once was even called on to repair a hot air balloon.
After Alvah died on Aug. 9, 1982, Isla married Albert C. Thiel on Oct. 1, 1983. Both families had been friends for more than 50 years. They were married 24 years until Al's death in January 2007.
Isla is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline A. Peters of Newport News, Va.; her son, Dale A. (Barbara) Lyon of Menomonie; granddaughters, Robbin (Robert) Hayhurst and Michele (Dale Mueller) Ertel; grandsons, Brett and Zachary (fiancée, Mariah Griffin) Lyon; great-grandchildren Justin Peters and Chelsea Doeppe; and four great-great grandchildren. In addition to five siblings, she was predeceased by her husbands, Alvah Lyon and Albert Thiel.
There will be a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, at Rest Haven Cemetery (5750 Old Town Hall Road, Eau Claire). Following the service, friends and family are invited to gather at Lake Street United Methodist Church, Eau Claire. The family wishes to thank the staff of the American Lutheran Home for their excellent care. Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
Arrangements are by Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to American Lutheran Home (915 Elm Ave. E, Menomonie, WI 54751) or Lake Street Methodist Church (337 Lake Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701.)
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