Nancy Thielen of Rapid City died March 22, 2017, at Fountain Springs Health Care Center in Rapid City. She was 82 years old.

Nancy Mae Dewhirst Thielen was born March 13, 1935, in Aberdeen, the first child of Neil and Marie (Van Osdol) Dewhirst. At the age of six she was at the neighbor's house and playing on their piano. The neighbor was Merritt Johnson who was a professor of piano and organ at Northern State Teacher's College. He told her folks they had a child prodigy and he spoke to a piano teacher in town about teaching her. She was also found to have perfect pitch.

She attended Aberdeen Central High School and graduated with the class of 1953. While in high school she had many honors: President of the Junior Class; National Honor Society; Governor of Girl State; President of High School Orchestra, A Cappella Singer and accompanist, Social Service Award, Quill and Scroll, Youth Council; Honor Citizen; Red Cross Council; Honor Girl, Nu Phi Mu Sorority; Methodist Youth Fellowship Vice President; Sunday School Teacher and Homecoming Queen.

Because she had been the Governor of Girl State she won a scholarship to Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell. She attended for one quarter and then transferred back to NSTC. When on campus she met Charles Thielen, just back from serving in the Korean War and working on his master's degree. She had known him for many years because he played drums and sang in a local band. They were married August 14, 1954 in Aberdeen.

They lived in Spearfish and Sturgis. Nancy and Chuck had a combo of organ and drums and played for many area dances. They then moved to Rapid City., where she was the Episcopal Church organist for 10 years and Past President of Chapter BF, P.E.O.

After teaching piano lessons in her home for over ten years, she bought a building and started her own business. The Nancy Thielen School of Piano began in 1980. Because it was so unique, an article was printed in the CLAVIER, a national magazine for Pianists and Organists in September 1982.

She was a Nationally Certified Teacher of Piano and Organ. Black Hills Area Music Teacher Association, Past President; South Dakota Music Teachers Association, Past President. A Clinician for the International Piano Teaching Foundation certified in all levels of instruction, she had the opportunity to present workshops around the country with an emphasis on improvisation.

In 1985 she was the Parade Marshal for Dakota Days Band Festival in Rapid City. Governor George S. Mickelson declared April 23, 1992 as Nancy Thielen Day when she was chosen for the South Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame. She was crowned Ms. Senior South Dakota in 1996. Nancy competed in the National Pageant in Biloxi, MS and was named 2nd runner up.

She is survived by daughter Kristi Thielen (Wayne Gilbert), of Belle Fourche, and sons Paul Thielen (Sandie), Rapid City and Andrew Thielen of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She is also survived by six grandchildren, including Rachael Gilbert, Rebekah Pfahler (Scott), Joshua Gilbert, Trevor Thielen, Troy Thielen (Sara), and Matthew Lerud (Ashley). She is also survived by five great-grandchildren and her sister Linda Dillavou, Aberdeen and brother Neil C. Dewhirst II of Tucson, AZ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thielen, and her parents.

Nancy was a colorful, vibrant woman who was the director of every family gathering and often the centerpiece as well. She was untiring in her enthusiastic support for those she loved and taught. She was the inspiration for all that her children achieved and her spirit will forever remain among those who knew her.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home at 2700 Jackson Boulevard in Rapid City.  Funeral services have been scheduled for Friday, March 31 at 9:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis.

Nancy's family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Fountain Springs Heath Care Center and asks people to consider sending memorial gifts to Girls Inc, the Humane Society of the Black Hills, or Emmanuel Episcopal Church.