Roland "Dutchie" Rudolf Thieme, age 76, passed away on Oct. 7, 2010. He was born on Aug. 9, 1934, in Garfield, to John C. and Lydia Flessner Thieme. He attended Yorktown School and graduated from Cuero High School. Roland married his high school sweetheart Patricia "Patty" Wendel on Sept. 18, 1955 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Meyersville. They were blessed with six children and recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Roland and Patty lived in Chicago after they were married where he attended De Vry Technical Institute until he was drafted into the Army. He served two years in the Signal Corps in Fort Monmouth, N.J. and in Fort Huachuca, Ariz. From 1957 to 1959. Roland retired from Union Carbide in March 1998 after 38 years of service and was a member of The First English Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife Patty of Victoria; son, Kevin Thieme and (Christine) of Victoria; daughter, Teresa Tuch and (Frank) of Meyersville; son, Kenneth Thieme of Meyersville; daughter, Denise Stevens and (Wayne) of Meyersville; daughter, Donna Spann and (Mike) of Meyersville; and a sister, Georgia Mae White of Wharton.

Grandchildren include Mendy Stevens Villarreal and (Chris), Monica Stevens Gayle and (Johnathan), Melissa Stevens, Jason, Kaitlyn and Kelly Spann, Elizabeth and Allen Poole, and Krista Tuch. Great-grandchildren include Taryn Rae Gayle and Kendon Wayne Villarreal.

Roland was preceded in death by a son, Wendel Ray Thieme; his parents; a nephew, Glen Cecil White; and a great-nephew, Timothy McPherson.

He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather enjoying ranching and took great pride in his hay field. In his earlier years he and his father built and island cabin in Port O'Connor where he, his parents and family enjoyed regular fishing trips. Deer hunting and making sausage were also part of his past-times. His retirement years were spent watching his numerous hummingbirds and purple martins, and he was an avid domino player. During the summer, he planned a surprise trip for his entire family and treated them to a Hummer limo driven trip to Delta Downs. Roland made sure his family was always cared for and provided for and he will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 8, 2010, at Freund Funeral Home in Cuero. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, at Freund Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Muehlbrad officiating. Burial will be at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Meyersville.

Pallbearers will be Kevin and Kenneth Thieme, Wayne Stevens, Mike and Jason Spann, Frank Tuch, and Michael White.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Texas, First English Lutheran Church in Victoria, and Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery Fund in Meyersville.

Special thanks to his caring neighbors and his Union Carbide family.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mehran Nezhad, Dr. Llompart, Dr. Oakley, Hospice of South Texas, and the nursing staff at both Citizen's and DeTar Hospitals.

Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.