5’2 and Eyes of Blue… On October 25, 2026, Mary Jean Thiel passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her four children.

Mary Jean was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 1, 1933 to Cletus and Mary Keogh. She moved to Estherville, Iowa, in 1947 and graduated high school in 1952. The same year, she married the love of her life, Raymond Thiel on June 30, 1952, and they had 4 children before moving to Stewartsville, MO and then eventually, St. Joseph, where she called home for the last 40 years.

A devout Catholic, Mary Jean's faith remained at the center of her life. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe church, serving as a member of the Altar Society, Pew Angels, and volunteered at the Open Door Food kitchen.

Her family was truly her greatest accomplishment and her greatest source of happiness.

Mary Jean cherished her friendships, loved watching the Kansas City Chiefs, appreciated a good cup of coffee, and believed there was always room for a margarita and a little laughter. She had a way of reminding those around her not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the people and moments that mattered most.

She enjoyed garage sales, days at the lake, and every family activity she could attend. She especially loved cheering on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at sporting events—a fitting pastime for an eighth-grade ping-pong champion, Jitterbug Queen and roller-skating extraordinaire. She may have been small, but her voice always made her presence known.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cletus and Mary Keogh; her sisters, Elaine Keogh and Colleen Marsh; her brothers, Richard (Patricia) Keogh and Robert "Bob" Keogh; and the love of her life, her husband, Raymond Thiel.

Her legacy lives on through her children and their spouses: Deb (Steve) Shriner, Steve (Kim) Thiel, Jean (Randy) Rush, and Jim Thiel (fiancé Carol Schafer); her six grandchildren: Michelle (Matthew) Miller, Michael (Tiffanie) Shriner, Britani (Joe) Manthe, Andy Thiel, Ryan (Ann) Rush, and Brent Thiel; as well as twelve great grandchildren, Nicholas, Zachary, Dawsyn, Lucas, Mason, Averie, Maximus, Jameson, Mya, Eloise, Gwendolyn, and Susie who absolutely adored her.

Visitation begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 7th, at Heaton-Bowman- Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, followed by prayer service. All are welcome after the service to attend a celebration luncheon honoring Mary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

To honor Mary as she would have wanted, please wear your favorite Kansas City Chiefs gear. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Altar Society.

“What-ever”