Thomas R. Thiel, 81

Thomas R. Thiel, 81, died peacefully on May 11, 2019, at his home in Butte after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on May 7, 1938, to Jack and Ivy (Duck) Thiel in Dillon. Tom was raised and attended school in Dillon and graduated in 1956 from Beaverhead High School. Tom married Beryl Remely in Dillon in 1958, and together they had four children, Kim, Mike, Matt and William.

The family moved to Helena in 1967 where Tom began a career in life insurance with Lincoln National Life. Tom and Beryl divorced in 1978 and he moved to Great Falls, where he continued working for Lincoln National Life. He met Ruth Meyer in Great Falls and they were married in 1979. They ultimately moved to Bigfork. Ruth passed way in 1990. Tom met Philippa “Phil” Bishop in Bigfork and they were married in 1995. Tom and Phil moved to Butte where they resided until he passed away.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Ivy Thiel, his second wife Ruth Meyer, infant brother Robert Thiel; brother Jack Thiel Jr., sister-in-law Donna Thiel; and brother-in-law Art Bieler.

Tom is survived by his wife, Phil and her children Laura, Luke (Therese), Nathan (Rachel), and Jason (Amy), and his children, Kim (Dan Schaaf) of Great Falls, Mike (Carrie) of Kalispell, Matthew of Missoula, and William (Tanya) of Perth, Australia; his siblings, Betty Bieler of Sheridan, Montana, William G. Thiel of Portland, Krista (John) Gebert of Missoula, and sister-in-law Ellen Rae Thiel of Boulder, Montana; and his grandchildren, Katie, Kyle, Claire, Marissa, Candice, Ellie, Bryne and Callen; and great-grandchildren, Kaela, Tyler, Jude, Kila and Kendall.

Tom did not wish to have a service and instead asks that you gather together and raise a parting glass in his honor and remember all the good reasons you were connected to one another. Cremation has taken place. The family wishes to thank Senior Solutions Hospice of Butte for their compassionate and loving care of Tom during his final days. In addition, his children, would like to thank his loving wife Phil for her tender, selfless care of their father over the past few years.

The family will host friends and family for a celebration of Tom’s life from 3 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 25 at the Finlen Hotel in Butte.

Memorials can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.