Edward B. Theilen
Golden Valley, passed away Tuesday, March 13 at age 92. Ed was born at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis on April 25, 1919 to John and Alma Theilen. He attended Howe Elementary and Sanford Junior High, and graduated from Roosevelt High School and Minnesota School of Business. Following graduation from MSB, he joined Century Motor Freight, where he worked until drafted for World War II.
During the war, he served in the 53rd General Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia, the Improvised Court Section of Camp Reynolds, PA, and the 176th Labor Center (a POW Camp) in Mourmelon Le Grande, France.
After the war, he worked for Sta-Vis Oil in St. Paul, and in 1952, helped start Metalcote Grease and Oil Company. Along with partner Jack Brassard and many wonderful employees, Ed helped build Metalcote into one of the largest independent lubricant manufacturers in the United States, recognized by Corporate Report as one of the Top 100 private companies in Minnesota.
After selling Metalcote in 1983, Ed devoted himself to a “second career”?managing several farms in Southwest Minnesota. He and his wife, Marian, also began to travel extensively, visiting many parts of the United States and Canada, and at least 14 other countries.
Ed was devoted to Scouting and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 196 in Minneapolis. He was a long-time member of the American Swedish Institute and Svenska S?llskapet, served on church councils at Holy Communion and Diamond Lake Lutheran Churches in Minneapolis, and over the years enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and visiting family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marian; son, Richard (Cheryl); granddaughter, Kristin; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, John and Alma Theilen, and brother, John W. Theilen, Sr. Visitation is 4:30 ? 6:30 PM, Thursday, March 15, 2012, at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 3640-23rd Avenue South, Minneapolis. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, March 16 at Colonial Acres Health Care Center, 5825 St. Croix Avenue, Golden Valley. Memorials may be given to Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, The American Swedish Institute, or Colonial Acres.