Thurston T. Thiel passed away Tuesday May 24, 2022 at Pine Village in Moundridge, Kansas. He was born on September 29, 1937 in rural Gypsum, Kansas, the son of Ernest and Elsie (Schwarz) Thiel.

Growing up outside of Gypsum, he attended Chapel Hill and Gypsum schools. He was a 1955 graduate of Gypsum High School. He graduated from Kansas State with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry in 1959. Thurston was a member of the Livestock Judging Team. He earned his commission in the Army through ROTC while at K-State.

On May 21, 1960 he married Mary Carolyn in Topeka, Kansas. Immediately after their marriage, they fulfilled his 3-year commitment in the Army. Thurston graduated first in his class in Army Aviation school and chose rotary. He spent 2 years stationed in Kaiserlautern, Germany flying helicopters observing the construction of the Berlin wall. He and Carolyn were able to travel all throughout Europe and took home movies of many of their adventures.

Thurston returned to Gypsum and became a lifelong rancher and farmer. He was also a lifetime member of Temple Church where he sang in men’s groups.

He loved working with cattle and only farmed because they had to be fed. He always enjoyed being outdoors and could almost always match cow/calf pairs without eartags.

Thurston was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Elsie Thiel and brother, Marthane Thiel. He is survived by his wife, Carloyn; daughter, Becky Cooper (Randy) of Gypsum, and son, Andy Thiel (Janelle) of Gypsum; brothers, Duane Thiel of Lindsborg, Kansas and Russell Thiel (Rae Ann) of Andover, Kansas; grandchildren, Cade and Bryce Cooper, and Haley, Adam, Hannah, and Eli Thiel.

Cremation has been selected. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Temple Church, 9657 S. Amos Rd, Gypsum, Kansas with Pastor Chipchase officiating. Burial will follow at the Temple Church Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Village for their compassionate care and support.

Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Church, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas 67401.