Thea Nina Fleck

Thea N. (Pierce) Fleck passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2025. She was a world traveler, lifelong learner, and caring community member. Thea was a loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose kindness and generosity touched everyone who knew her.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 26, 1941, Thea cherished summers at her family’s cottage, The Hemlocks, where she spent joyful days with her sister and cousins. In childhood, she formed a lifelong friendship with Vinnette Rasmussen and treasured the love and guidance of Vinnette’s mother, Dorothy, throughout her life.

After graduating high school, Thea worked as a dental hygienist. She met the love of her life, Michael Fleck, on August 2, 1964, at Severance Mall in Cleveland, where he was helping set up a flower display. Their courtship was filled with daily letters, weekly calls, and just 11 visits before they married on their 12th date, February 20, 1965.

Mike’s military career took the couple and their growing family across the country and overseas, to Ft. Benjamin Harrison (IN), Ft. Sheridan (IL), Ft. Story (VA), Ent Air Force Base (CO), Charlottesville (VA), and seven memorable years in Germany (Augsburg, Heidelberg, and Göppingen). There, Thea planned countless adventures across Western Europe, while Mike drove their VW camper van. Together with their three children, they camped, skied, and hiked countless Volksmarches.

In 1980, the family settled in McCordsville, Indiana. While raising her children, Thea continued her education, earning a degree in Gerontology. Dedicated to lifelong learning, she went on to earn a master’s degree in Adult Education from Ball State University. She served as Director of the Ball State University Extension on Ft Ben Harrison and Executive Director of the Indianapolis Senior Citizens Center.

Thea’s greatest joy came from being a Grandma to her seven grandchildren. She left her career to be fully present in their lives, transforming the family home into a haven of play and imagination, complete with a playhouse, gazebo, and tree fort built by Mike. She filled their days with adventures to museums, parks, family celebrations, and created lasting traditions like the annual Fleck Family Christmas Sing, Easter piñatas, and the New Year’s “Pots & Pans Parade.”

Just as she had once done in Europe, Thea organized educational trips across the U.S. for her grandchildren, visiting national parks, presidential sites, and historic landmarks. She later expanded those travels for the grandchildren around the world with Mike, to destinations including Ireland, China, Germany, Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands, Peru, Chile, Easter Island, and Cuba.

After decades in McCordsville, Thea and Mike moved to Traditions Independent Living Community, where she served as the Welcome Ambassador, ensuring residents felt included and cared for. She also supported Exchange Club Veterans’ Recognition and Honor Flag program; Vernon Township Emergency Needs, CASA Kids Care bags, a recent Medical Mission in Kenya and many other community needs.

In her later years, Thea remained deeply devoted to her family. She lovingly cared for Mike before his passing in June 2024 and often said he “opened up her life and gave her more opportunities than she could have imagined.” She was known for her warmth and thoughtfulness, remembering every birthday and milestone with a handwritten card. Even in her final days, she continued to reach out with love and care to friends and family. Thea’s beauty went beyond her smile, but in the way she made others feel special, seen, and loved.

There will also be a special holiday memorial program at Traditions of Brookside for residents and staff on December 17.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Thea and Michael Fleck Family Community Fund, which supports education, agriculture, parks and recreation, quality of life initiatives, and local non-profits. Gifts may be made online at https://hancock.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3541 or mailed to: Community Foundation of Hancock County, 971 W. US 40, Greenfield, IN 46140.

Thea is survived by her sister, Karen (Bill) Starr, three children, Florence (Anthony) May, Peter Fleck, and Christopher (Nelia) Fleck; daughters-in-law Kimberly (Fleck) Huizinga and Michelle Fleck; seven beloved grandchildren - Zachary (Morgan) Fleck, Sydney (Brandon) Sparks, Riley (Alexandra) Fleck, Gabriel (Taylor) Fleck, Alexandra Thea Marie Fleck, James May, and Elizabeth May - and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Michael Fleck; her father, Algernon Pierce; her beloved mentor, Dorothy Rasmussen; and her grandson, Kyle Reese Fleck.

A Celebration of Family & Service for Thea Fleck will be held on Saturday, January 17th from 5:00–7:00 PM at Thrive Center – 971 W US Hwy 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. Please join us as we honor Thea’s legacy of love, community, and service. In-Kind Donations will be collected at the entrance:

· Canned or boxed food for the local food pantry

· Used shoes for Changing Footprints

· Unused eyeglasses for recycle project

· Inspirational cards for deployed soldiers or memory care patients

Dress: Casual — wear Thea’s signature color orange for extra points!

We will celebrate Thea’s life of service with a program at 5:30 p.m. followed by food and drink in the new Community Foundation of Hancock Cty Center. - Flory, Peter, Kim, Tony, Michelle, Zac, Morgan, Sydney, Brandon, James, Gabe, Taylor, Alexandra, Riley, Alex, Elizabeth & 5 Gr. Grands - The Fleck Family