Lillian Louise Thielman

Lillian “Lillie“ Louise Thielman passed away in the comfort of her home in Lakewood, Colorado, on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 at the age of 93. She surrendered to complications related to injuries suffered after two serious falls earlier this year.

Lillie was born, Lillian Louise Barth, on June 24, 1930, in the small mining town of Butte, Montana. She was the only child born to her parents, Walburga “Wallie” Hiller and Peter Barth, both immigrants who arrived separately to the United States from Germany. She had a beloved older half-brother, Heinrich “Heinie” Hiller, who immigrated to America with their mother. She also had a best-friend cousin who they all called “Buckhoe,” who came to the US separately with her father, Frank. At the age of 10 she tragically lost her father in a mining accident while he was working at the Anaconda Copper Mine. After a couple years, her mother remarried to Albert Bartle, who was a loving stepfather; Lillian adopted his name becoming Lillian Louise Barth-Bartle.

On June 11, 1949, she married her sweetheart, William S. “Bill” Thielman, a farmer’s son from nearby Lewistown, Montana. She met Bill while he was studying engineering at the Montana School of Mines. They had three children together: the first, Debra in 1951 and the second, William Jr. “Billy” in 1952, both born in her hometown of Butte, and Valerie in 1954 in Billings, Montana. After Bill’s graduation, Lillie and the kids moved with him many times as he travelled for work as a roughneck oil engineer first to South Dakota, then to Wyoming, and finally to the Denver, Colorado area around 1960. They lastly settled in Lakewood around 1965 and Lillie supported Bill’s decision to start their own electric motor business in Boulder and Fort Collins. The business proved to be successful for over 43 years, run in partnership with their son Billy, until Bill retired and closed its doors in 2016. She and Bill enjoyed the past 58 years in the same home and had a loving marriage, recently celebrating their 74th wedding anniversary.

As a child Lillian’s mother made sure she learned to play the piano – a talent which she possessed in her later years. Lillian was a home-maker extraordinaire who loved keeping a beautiful, clean home. She initiated a local garden club with her friends and neighbors to learn about plants and to cultivate a lovely, manicured yard. She was both an excellent cook and baker. She liked to dress impeccably. Each week, for many years, she and her best friends would gather for “sewing group” where, over coffee and donuts, she produced countless knitted or crocheted blankets and other beautiful, handcrafted things.

Lillie was a wonderful wife, mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was a light to all who knew her. She was dearly loved and will be missed greatly. She is survived by her husband, Bill; their three children, Debra, Billy, and Valerie; six grandchildren, Tamara, Ryan, Tatiana, Erin, Bryanna, and Tennyson; and eight great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to her husband William Thielman at 12075 W. 18th Dr. Lakewood, CO 80215.

A visitation for Lillian will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Friday 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 7777 West 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. A graveside service will occur Friday, July 28, 2023 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM, 7777 West 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Thielman family.