HOF 2006 – Fine Arts
At the age of six, Thielen was at the neighbor’s house and playing on their piano. The neighbor was Merritt Johnson who was a professor of piano and organ at Northern State Teacher’s College. He told her folks they had a child prodigy and he spoke to a piano teacher in town about teaching her. She was also found to have perfect pitch.
While at CHS, Thielen was involved with many activities including: Keystone National Honor Society, Governor of Girls State, Junior Class President, President of High School Orchestra (violin), Homecoming Queen, Student Council, A Cappella singer and accompanist, Red Cross Council, Y-Debs Vice President, State winner of the Elks Youth Leadership Contest. She has also won many talent contests including: Venita Rich Talent Contest, Cedric Adams Talent Contest, Iseman Talent Contest, Lions Club Talent Show, and Snow Queen Talent Show for Aberdeen.
After teaching piano lessons in her home for over ten years, she started her own business. The Nancy Thielen School of Piano began in 1980. Because it was so unique, an article was printed in the CLAVIER, a national magazine for Pianists and organists in September 1982. In 1999 she turned the studio over to one of her teachers who was also a former student.
She was a nationally Certified Teacher of Piano and Organ, has participated in many musical organizations, and had the opportunity to present workshops around the country with an emphasis on improvisation.
Governor George S. Mickelson declared April 23, 1992 as Nancy Thielen Day when she was chosen for the SD Musicians Hall of Fame. She was crowned Ms. Senior South Dakota in 1996, and 2nd runner up in the National Pageant in Biloxi, MS.
Thielen was married to Dr. Charles Thielen ’47, and they lived in Rapid City. Their three children are Kristi, Paul, and Andrew. Nancy passed away on March 22, 2017.
Thielen was a colorful, vibrant woman who was the director of every family gathering and often the centerpiece as well. She was untiring in her enthusiastic support for those she loved and taught. She was the inspiration for all that her children achieved and her spirit will forever remain among those who knew her.