Mary E. (Sheber) Ohnesorge Thielen

Mary Edna (Sheber) Ohnesorge Thielen, affectionally known as “Grannybird,” passed away peacefully at her daughter and son-in-law’s Debra and Ron Hagerty’s home where Mary lived (Epworth, IA), on May 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Friends and family may visit from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Paul Gammelin officiating. Burial will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.

Mary was born on January 19, 1936, in Mechanicsville, Iowa, to Edward and Pauline (Spencer) Sheber. She went to school in Lisbon, Iowa. During high school, she babysat and waitressed at a local diner before moving to Dubuque in 1952. On September 25, 1954, she married William “Bill” C. Ohnesorge and together they had six children. Bill preceded her in passing on March 3, 1987. In 1973, Mary began working at Stampfers Dinette. After six years she bought the dinette and ran it for three years. In 1996, Mary moved to Bellevue, Iowa where she married Fred L. Thielen on December 9, 2000. Mary belonged to the VFW of Dubuque, American Legion of Bellevue, and attended St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Mary enjoyed playing cards with friends. She loved playing bingo and taking her grandchildren with her, one of the many memories they cherish. Mary enjoyed camping with her family. She truly enjoyed traveling and has been across the USA, from East to West, including Alaska and Hawaii. She traveled to Canada, Mexico, Wales, England, and Ireland. Most of all Mary/Grannybird cherished her time spent with her family and was known for her entertaining stories of her early years. 

Mary leaves behind her husband Fred L. Thielen; five children Debra (Ron) Hagerty, Melody “Mickie” (Ed) Osburne, Rebecca O. (James) Ohnesorge, Robert “Ohney” (Kimmie) Ohnesorge, and Darla Ohnesorge-Bruns (Chris Cupps, Sr.); daughter-in-law Nancy Ohnesorge; very special niece Jane Heim; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; stepchildren, Alan Thielen, Jane Thielen, and Amy Thielen; sisters-in-law Karen Sheber, Charlotte Ronek and Phyllis Fishnick; and brother-in-law Cliff Heim. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Pauline Sheber; her first husband William “Bill” C. Ohnesorge; her son William “Chuck” C., Jr.; grandson Dusty Ohnesorge; great-granddaughter Kaitlyn “Kitten” Ohnesorge; sisters Dorothy Heim and Joann Robinson; brothers Edward, Robert, and Bill; and sister-in-law Carol.

We would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Kris, Ava, and Jenny, and Eric of AdvoCare. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.