Lawrence J. Thielen, 93, Mandan, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N 6^th St, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Lawrence was born on April 18, 1926 to Joseph and Gertrude (Martin) Thielen at his grandparents, Alex and Dorothy Martin’s home in Clyde, ND. He attended Clyde school and graduated in 1944. Lawrence graduated from Minot State University and did graduate work at Washington State University and the University of Colorado. His teaching position was in rural school in Trier Township, ND, and later taught at Clyde and Mohall before being drafted into the Army in 1951. He was stationed in Anchorage, AK, and was discharged in 1953. He taught for several years at Cavalier, Hillsboro, and Williston before moving to Mandan where he taught at Mandan Jr. High until his retirement in 1990 after 46 years as teacher and an administrator in the North Dakota school system. His friends and students were like family, and the education of his students was of the highest priority to him.

He was a gifted musician and loved playing the piano and organ. Lawrence was a member of the McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck, a member of the golden Kiwanis, and belonged to several fraternal groups.

He is survived by two nieces, Virginia (Doug – deceased) Doescher, Auburn, WA; Leslie (Vaughn) Thorstad, Fargo; two great-nephews, Grant and Brandon Doescher, Auburn, WA; three great nieces, Lindsey Thorstad, Fargo; Marissa Thorstad (daughter Elaina and sons Silas and Kasen), Fargo; and Taryn Thorstad, Jacksonville, FL.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Muriel, and brother-in-law, Roman Michels; and sister, Joellyn and brother-in-law, James Bernardy.