Mother of God Cemetery

Obituary

Joan Thelen (née Droege), of Lakeside Park, Kentucky, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, September 18, 2025.Dr

Joan dedicated much of her life to education and service. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Covington. Later, she worked alongside her husband, Dave, at St. Pius X Seminary, serving as Director of Field Education. A woman of deep faith, Joan was a longtime parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Outside of her professional life, Joan had a green thumb and found great joy in tending to her rose garden.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Jeanne Droege.

Joan is survived by her loving husband, David Thelen; sons: Michael (Terri) Thelen, Chris Thelen and Patrick (Amy) Thelen; grandchildren: Malory Thelen, Brennen Thelen and Bailey Thelen; great-grandchildren, Ryker and Aspen Thelen; siblings, Susan (Robert) Wiebe and Douglas (Barb) Droege; nephews: Lawrence Droege, Rob Wiebe, Rob Thelen, Willy Thelen, Tony Perraut, Kevin Perraut and Mark Perraut; and niece, Jennifer Henry.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 4:00 PM until the time of mass of Christian burial, 6:00 PM, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 348 Dudley Rd., Edgewood, KY 41017. Burial will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, 10:00 AM at Mother of God Cemetery in Latonia, KY.

Memorials are suggested to the Passionists Nuns Monastery, 1151 Donaldson Highway, Erlanger, KY 41018 or St. Pius X Catholic Church, 348 Dudley Rd., Edgewood, KY 41017.