“Mama Bear” Glenda Laurie Thiele, 60, of Helena passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at St Peter’s Hospital of organ failure.
Glenda was born August 20, 1957 to Samuel and Mary Lou Cooper in Missoula, MT. She was named after her Grandpa Ailport and her Grandma Cooper. She grew up in Missoula and was a true patriotic Montanan. In her early years, she loved to ride bikes and play kickball. Glen loved attending the Western Montana Fair and helping in the VFW food booth. She was a member of 4H. Glen attended Sentinel High School and later earned her GED. Glenda had a sharp wit, sense of humor, would give you the shirt off her back, and lived large!
Glenda, like her Mom and sisters, started working at the 4B’s Restaurant on E. Broadway in Missoula. She eventually became a cook and always had a hard time just cooking for one! For the last seven years, Glenda worked for Helena Industries as a cutter and inspector until their closing in early April. She had just started working for Walmart and was so excited to start her new adventure in retail.
In 1982, she met James Thiele in Lubbock, TX . They married on Sep 2, 1983 and decided to stay in Montana. In 1989, they had twins- Matthew Dale and Meggan Carol. They were married 23 years, when Jim died of lung cancer in 2007. Glenda lost her soul-mate and “rock”; she was heart-broken and never got over the loss.
She enjoyed a great game of cribbage or pinochle. Glenda was a life member of the VFW Post 209 Auxiliary. She loved to make chocolates with her Mom and had a secret recipe for huckleberry cheesecake. Glenda loved Yellowstone National Park and could spot all the animals first!
Glenda was preceded in death by her beloved Jim, parents, grandparents, mother-in law Carol, and brother-in-law Duane Carlton. She is survived by her son, Matthew (Elonda) of Great Falls, daughter Meggan (Joey) Edwards of Helena, sisters Cindy Carlton of Bozeman, Patti Jo Loewen (Robert Jackson) of Granite Falls, WA, and Beth Cooper of Drummond, grandchildren Lilli, Weston, Haydyn, Willoh, and Braxton, a large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends to include Pam Moore and Mike Farrell.
Glenda will be deeply loved forever and missed by all who knew her. Rest in peace, “Mama Bear” Glen!
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 7, 2018 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan, with refreshments to follow at the church.
Please visit below to offer condolences or share a memory of Glenda.
Rose Ann Torrance says
Hi Glenn it’s aunt RoseAnn I’m really Sorry What Happen To You. I know you are with your Mom. And Dad Now. But the Pain of losing you Really Hurt. Glad I got to talk to you . Love you Sweetheart. I’ll See you later.
Roxianne Verworn says
I hope you have finally found peace my friend. The last decade was so full of internal turmoil for you and you could never see the light at the end of the tunnel. May you find comfort in God’s loving arms. May you find joy in your reunion with Jim, your folks and other dear loved ones who have gone before you. May you now truly know just how much you were loved and how you’ll be missed. Matt and Meggan you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to you all!
Aunt Jeannie McGrath says
I am so sad but I know you are at peace now… prayers to your family.. Matt and Megan I love you…God Bless you all! Auntie Jeannie
Pam Moore says
Hi Glen,
I miss you each and every day. Not a day has gone by that “something” reminds me of you and I have to tell myself “no I can’t call you”. I miss your wicked sense of humor and true friendship. I miss chatting with you almost every day.
Even though I am sad, I am happy you are no longer in turmoil, that you are “free from the pain”.
I love you! Pam
Jan E Amundsen says
RIP Glen I will try my hardest to attend your funeral xx
Erik Amundsen Missoula
Gina Hardy says
Rest In peace my dear.
I loved hearing you tell me Good Morning everyday. Not one day went by without you greeting me with a smile. I always felt special when you would let me know, that even when you were busy, you always paused to greet me with a smile. It was a pleasure to have known you for the short time that I did. Godspeed Honey! you will be missed. Gina Hardy
S. L. says
I am sorry for your loss. May comfort and peace from God strengthen you and help you through this very difficult time. 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.