Benjamin Gregory Thelen

Benjamin Gregory Thelen was born in Traverse City on September 24, 2002 to Gregory and Jennifer (Miller) Thelen, and entered into eternal life on December 12, 2021.

For nineteen years, he radiated joy towards all those blessed to know him. He was easygoing, gentle-hearted, funny, generous, patient, charismatic, and unfailingly kind. He loved being with his family and friends, exploring the world around him, and making everyone laugh.

He worked hard at school and played hard on the VASA trail. He delighted in going super-fast mountain biking, ice skating, skiing, and skateboarding. He knew all about cars, and he loved to drive. He liked figuring out how things worked and playing disc golf. He loved animals especially his dog, Higgins, and his fish. He cared deeply for others, and he could make anybody feel almost instantly at ease.

He made many friends throughout his thirteen years in the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, and he graduated with honors in 2021. He had just finished his first semester at University of Detroit Mercy, Aquinas Campus, where he was studying nursing.

Benjamin will be remembered in love by his family, including his parents, Greg and Jennifer; sister, Isabelle; grandparents, Tom and Barb Thelen; aunts and uncles, Jay (Linda) Miller, Rose Hoffman, Marie (Larry) Ciolek, Elaine (Todd Cressman) Miller, Karen (Bill) McLean, Rachel Miller, Rebecca (Todd) Curran, David (Gail) Thelen, Nicholas Thelen; cousins Elizabeth (John Hersey) Ciolek, Jessalyn (Tyler) Rumler, Carolyn (John) Oliver, Eric (Kaltra Kruja) Ciolek, Sara (Dylan Carleton) Boyd, Kaitlyn (Mitch) Cavanaugh, Jonathan McLean, Tyler Boyd, Jack Hoffman, Parker Strach, Mason Strach, Alyssa Curran, Alex Thelen, Andrew Curran, Annabelle Thelen, Carter Thelen, Brady Thelen; and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Joseph and Nancy Miller; uncles, John Hoffman and Quinten Boyd, and cousins, Hannah Thelen and Lindsey Hoffman.

A Rosary Recitation will be held on Friday the 17th of December at St. Francis Catholic Church at 7:00pm.

A memorial mass honoring Benjamin's life will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 18th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Traverse City (a livestream option is available at https://www.sfparish.org/ ). Visitation will take place from 9:00am until the beginning of the service.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Benjamin's name are asked to consider donating to Saint Francis High School.

Benjamin and his family are being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.