Steve & Gina Thelen's Obituary
On Sunday, June 30, 2019, Steve and Gina Thelen passed away together just shy of their 59th and 58th birthdays, respectively. Known for their faith, generosity, wicked sense of humor, and the ability to be a friend to all, we find immense comfort in knowing they were together in their final moments on earth.The couple is survived by their two children Christy, Kyle, and his wife Abbey. STEPHEN LEE THELEN September 11, 1960 – June 30, 2019Stephen “Steve” Lee Thelen was born on September 11, 1960 in Santa Maria, California to Earl and Carol who preceded him in death. Due to Earl’s line of work, they spent the next several years raising their five sons in California, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, and finally, Texas. Regardless of where his family resided, sports remained a mainstay and ever important part of Steve’s life. In high school, Steve played both baseball and football for the McKinney Lions. As a defensive back and pitcher, Steve proved he could stay cool under pressure while somehow managing to keep his infamous mane of unruly hair under both his helmet and hat. One of Steve’s biggest accomplishments on the mound was the perfect game he threw in 1978. After graduating high school, baseball introduced him to his greatest love, aside from his wife, Gina, Texas A&M University. Playing baseball for the Aggies was simply one of his greatest joys. Baseball gave Steve the opportunity to make lifelong friendships and memories that lasted long after his final trip to the mound. Steve graduated from Texas A&M University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Computer Science and Accounting. Steve began his career as an engineer at Texas Instruments. He quickly realized his favorite part of work was the intramural softball league and, because of this, decided to explore other opportunities. After a brief period in telecommunication sales, Steve was introduced to the Commercial Real Estate industry with Cushman & Wakefield. Steve channeled his competitive drive into serving many clients at The Staubach Company, which was later acquired by Jones Lang LaSalle. Steve will forever be known for his ethics, intelligence, loyalty, organization, mentorship, and the uncanny ability to strike up a conversation with anyone.Steve’s legacy goes far beyond his many professional and athletic accomplishments. His marriage to Gina on June 15, 1985 began a partnership where the pair could not easily be found without each other. He served on several boards, which allowed him to use his organizational and financial skills to guide groups—including Bent Tree Country Club and The Family Place—in ways of which we will never know the full scope of his impact. His true calling may have been coaching and mentorship. He coached both of his children’s baseball and softball teams with a forgiving intensity. Steve’s goal was for each kid to play every position on a rotation until we were losing, and then, he would put in whoever was needed to win. Steve was a husband first, father second, and friend to all. From knowing Steve, we are all left stronger through his unwavering character and are challenged to live a life of faith through action.Steve is survived by his four brothers and their wives, Keith and Janet, Gary and Ann, Nick and Felicia, Scott and Janine, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. GINA (CUNNINGHAM) THELEN July 17, 1961 – June 30, 2019Gina Thelen (maiden name Cunningham) was born on July 17, 1961 to Jim and Diane in Dallas, Texas. As the youngest of three siblings, the “baby” of the family ruled the roost from day one, as everyone who met her was charmed instantly. “Don’t hurt the baby” and “give the baby what she wants” were two common phrases used throughout the house, much to her brother’s, Jay, and sister’s, Lisa, demise. Due to her father’s line of work as a commercial airlines pilot, the family had the joy of traveling to many locations including Rome, Hawaii, and several ski trips over the years. Her grandfather, George S. Bowman, Major General of the United States Marine Corps, instilled in Gina respect of her country and a sense of duty unmatched by many. Gina attended Good Shepherd middle school and finished high school at W.T. White, where she participated as a member of the drill team. After following her sister to Texas Tech University, she soon learned that the wind-swept plains were not for her. She transferred to be with her brother at Texas A&M University, where she would soon meet Steve.Following her time in college, Gina worked for Muse Air as a flight attendant, where her infectious laugh and contagious personality excelled. One of her favorite pranks to pull on passengers was to take the seed from a lemon, place it under her nose, and see just how long it took for someone to have the courage to tell her about her “booger”. After her time as a flight attendant, she then began a career in sales at MCI. Gina rose quickly through the corporate ranks with her unrelenting and persistent sales tactics. “Pleasantly persistent” is the motto she lived by. It was from MCI that she hung her corporate hat to focus on raising her two children, running the household, keeping Steve in line, and training some of the most beloved Shetland Sheepdogs. As an “empty nester”, Gina spent her days volunteering for the Children’s Advocacy Center in Plano (speaking for the children who often could not speak for themselves) and for the funeral team at Christ Church (empathizing and grieving with those in a time of suffering). Her greatest calling was in serving every soul she met—from friends, family and even strangers to the birds (any squirrels) she made sure were fed in the backyard. Gina cared for all living things with an unmatched vigor and was a loving mother to not only her own children, but to anyone in need of her motherly advice, wisdom, and joy.Gina’s legacy reaches far beyond what our family can comprehend at this time; anyone who met her absolutely loved her. Her faith in God was prevalent in her every manner, from including everyone at her table for a meal, listening without judgment, and exhibiting grace in the way she made each individual she came in touch with feel as if they were the most important person in the room. Gina was truly a beacon of light in a world that, at times, can be quite dim. We were all made better simply by knowing her.Gina is survived by her grandmother, Velma Bowman, her parents, Jim and Diane Cunningham, her sister, Lisa and her husband David Besserer, her brother, Jay Cunningham, and her niece and nephew.The legacy of both of our parents is found through their partnership and love. The respect each one held for the other was palpable, and their dedication to leave every space, every room, and every person better than when they found them proved their faith by their actions. It is truly only fitting that they left this earth together, for it is hard to imagine a world where one was without the other. It is not an overstatement to say that the world is a better place because they were in it, and to be graced by their lives and challenged by their memory, is our greatest privilege and joy.DONATIONSIn lieu of flowers, please donate in memory to any of the below causes that meant so much to both of our parents and honors their individual interests.Also, please keep sending stories, videos, and pictures to adventuresofsteveandgina@gmail.com—the amount of laughter and cherished memories are helping more than you know.For GinaChildren’s Advocacy Center of Collin County https://53726.thankyou4caring.org/ASPCA https://secure.aspca.org/donate/donate-201906-t1-p1…For SteveThe Family Place https://www.familyplace.org/donation/new-donationDefenders of Freedom https://defendersoffreedom.us/cart
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