Obituary of Ilse M. Thole

Ilse M. Thole, 92, passed away on August 9, 2023. She is survived by her son, Derek Thole (Mara Thole), her sister in law Jessica Thole-Bernius, and her grandson Evan Thole.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1930, she grew up there during the Second World War. Later Ilse worked as the secretary for the head of Hamburg's Institute for Hygiene and Environment. She enjoyed traveling and skiing around Europe. In the late 1950s she moved across the Atlantic to the United States, becoming an American citizen.

While working as a receptionist at sailmaker Torrey, Huntington, and Shaw, she met her beloved husband, the late Bruce Thole. After they married they spent their summers sailing on the Great South Bay, Cape Cod, and Block Island. They bought East Coast Diesel and worked together in Lynbrook, NY for many years.

Ilse loved being a homemaker for her husband and son, Derek Thole, was delighted when he married his wife Mara, and cherished her grandson Evan, who she helped look after in his early years.

The family will receive friends Sunday, August 13, 2023 at the funeral home from 2-4:30 & 7-9:30 pm. A funeral service will be celebrated Sunday evning at 8:00 pm by the Reverend Kenneth Schnepp, Pastor, St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Interment will be Monday, August 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm in the family plot at the Jefferson Evergreen Cemetery, Jefferson, NY.