Grace Van Tassel Thiel

Grace Van Tassel Thiel, age 90, passed away on January 4, 2026. Grace was born on April 1, 1935, in Yonkers, New York, to Angus and Grace (Van Tassel) Robertson. Grace attended Gorton High School in Yonkers, New York which later became the infamous Rydell High highlighted in the movie Grease.

Grace was a devoted woman of faith and a longtime member of Good Samaritan Church. She made history as the church’s first woman elder, sang faithfully in the choir, and chaired numerous committees over the years. Grace was a passionate reader and enjoyed quilting and loved crafting, especially with her grandchildren.

Grace dedicated much of her working life to caring for others. She worked for 23 years alongside Dr. Jack Watters and later Dr. John Conte in Gahanna, Ohio, forming lasting relationships with patients and colleagues. Afterward, she spent many years with Schoedinger Funeral Services in their Gahanna location, where she warmly welcomed families as a greeter. Grace felt this work was her “calling” after losing her daughter Winnie to colon cancer. Grace brought comfort to many people and families as they dealt with their own grief.

Grace married the love of her life, Walter Roy Thiel Sr., on April 30, 1955. Together they built a life rooted in love, faith, and family. Grace was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter Roy Thiel Sr. in 2016; her daughter, Winifred “Winnie” Van Den Berg in 1999; her parents, Angus and Grace Robertson, as well as her brother Harold on November 29, 2025.

Grace will be forever remembered by her daughter Doris (Paul - deceased) Simonsen of Dallas, TX; son Walter Jr. “Tiger” (Cyndi) Thiel of Pilot Point, TX; son-in-law David (Debbie) Van Den Berg.

While Grace and Mom were names she was known by, her favorite name was “GG.” Some might think GG was for Grandma Grace, but she preferred Gorgeous Grandma. GG will be forever be remembered by her grandchildren Michael and Joshua (Amanda) Simonsen; David “D.R.” (Liz) Van Den Berg; Jacqueline (Corbin) Brandson; Jacob Van Den Berg; Mackenzie (Thomas) Hooks; Charley (DJ) Lucas and Madison Thiel, and her fiancé Lukas Mott and great-grandchildren, David “D3” Van Den Berg III; Stella Grace, Porter, Foster and Birdie Brandsen; Kaylynn Thiel; Evie, Cherylise Grace, and Samuel Hooks and Easton Lane and Braylin Lucas; brothers William (Roseann) Robertson of Yonkers, NY and sister-in-law Jan Robertson of Dallas, TX; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends; especially Jan and Onnie Elzey, Jack and Monique Watters, and her dearly beloved Women’s Book Club and Prayer Group.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 East Johnstown Rd. Gahanna, Ohio 43230. On Saturday, January 10, 2026 a service will take place at 10:00am with additional visiting from 9:00-10:00am at the Chapel at Wesley Ridge Retirement Community, 2225 Taylor Park, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068; interment to follow in Headley Cemetery in Blacklick. The service will be available via livestream as well: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85803556826?pwd=bL9YbCSPa8h08DeBJ4Vgl3zBZirrVh.1

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association or Wesley Ridge in Grace's honor.