Racine – Thomas Edward Thielen, age 31, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2013.

Tom was born in Racine on July 19, 1982 to Joseph and Nancy (nee: Peil) Thielen. He graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 2000. Tom was employed as a machinist at Beere Precision Products and by In-Sink-Erator.

As an accomplished musician, Tom was an extremely talented guitarist, composer and song-writer. He proudly played lead bass with the band "American Folk". Tom was a tremendous sports fan – having played baseball with Racine Youth Sports, a diehard Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers fan, celebrated St. Patrick's Day as if he was born in Ireland, and was always game for a round of golf. Born with an incredibly likeable personality, he gained an extensive circle of friends over the years. Above all, he cherished being in the surroundings of all of his loved ones – especially his nieces and nephews.

Surviving are his parents, Nancy & Michael Kost and Joseph & Jackie Thielen; sisters and brothers, Allison (John) Chernouski, Christian Petrowski, Casie Thielen, Kelly Kost, Krystle Kost and Erin Kost; nieces, Aiva, Sasia, Callan and Dani; nephews, Caleb and Jameson;  aunts and uncles, Daniel (Jean) Thielen, Larry Thielen, Nicholas (Marilyn) Thielen, Mary (Thomas) Anderson, Nancy (Jacob) Johnson, Patricia (Gale) Davis, Sharon (Doug) Dresen, Stephen Peil, David (Amy) Peil and Richard Peil; special friends (of whom were Tom's second family), Joe and Tasha Slusar; and many special cousins, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention by name.

Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jerome & Mary Thielen and Edward & Janice Peil; great-grandmother, Alice Mae Callan; and uncles, Rev. Jerome Michael Thielen and Richard Thielen.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 7:00 pm in St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., with Deacon Howard Wirtz officiating.  Visitation will be in the church on Thursday from 5-7 pm.  Interment will be at 10:00 am on Friday in Graceland Cemetery – corner of Graceland & Osborne Boulevards (with a reception following to continue celebrating Tom's life). In memory of Tom, memorials to the HOPES Center of the Racine Dominicans – Downtown Racine have been suggested.