Henryk Otto Thiel, precious infant son of Michael and Emily Thiel, died at home with his family on Sunday January 6, 2013 at 2:54pm. Henryk was 5 months and 10 days old and was born on July 27, 2012 in Minneapolis, MN. Henryk died due to complications resulting from in utero brain damage.
Henryk was a sweet little boy with a delightfully content temperament. He appreciated the warmth of a good blanket and was the perfect snuggle companion, always desiring to be held close. He gifted all who held him with his perfectly featured little face, the soft skin of his cheeks, his long fingers, and warm breath. He was incredibly tough and slow to register his complaints with a cute cry. Caring for him was a privilege, honor and blessing. In the course of his prenatal and postnatal life Henryk, Michael, Emily and Lily were enveloped with love and support from their family, friends, faith and medical communities.
Henryk is survived by his parents Michael and Emily and his sister Lily of Minneapolis; grandparents Otto and Bette Thiel of Howards Grove, WI; grandparents Ben and Ann Salzmann of Kohler, WI; great-grandparents Arline Thiel of Cleveland, WI, Doc and Doris Hanke of Howards Grove, WI and Mary Myshka of Wausau, WI. Henryk is also survived by aunts and uncles: Charles and Carey Thiel of Texas, Steve and Linda Thiel of Vermont, Melanie and Chad Voskuil of Oostburg, WI and Andrew and Sabitha Salzmann of Kansas. Henryk is further survived by his cousins Madeline and Eleanor Thiel; Gabriela, Sam, Juliana and Jeremiah Thiel; Jonah and Elisha Voskuil; and Benjamin Salzmann. He is also survived by many wonderful friends including David, Megan, Carson, and Coleman Mathis of Minneapolis, and Lindsey Dare of Minneapolis.
Funeral services for Henryk will be on Thursday January 10, 2013 at 10am with a visitation at 9am at Bethlehem Baptist Church, downtown Minneapolis campus 720 13th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN with Pastor Kenny Stokes and David Mathis officiating. Visitation will be at Washburn-McReavy Nokomis Park Chapel 1838 E Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN on Wednesday January 9, 2013 from 1pm-3pm. Burial will be at St Mary’s Cemetery, Marathon, Wisconsin at 4pm on Thursday January 10, 2013. There will be a reception in Howards Grove, WI at Zimmer Westview Funeral Home W2132 Garton Rd Sheboygan, WI on Sunday January 20, 2013 from 1pm-3pm.
The family would like to thank our wonderful extended family, our community at Bethlehem Baptist Church, the staff at Children’s Hospital 6th Floor and Hospice Program (Alycia, Alicia, Jordan, Kirsten), Dr. Tom and Deb Stealey, Dr. Michael McCue and his team (Pete and Therese), the Minnesota Perinatal Clinic, management and coworkers at Nol-Tec Systems, and all who have followed Henryk’s unique story. The encouragement, support, medical care, and prayers they have received have been like a shield of protection during this difficult time.
John 9:1-3 “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”