Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024
On May 28, 1918, in Shakopee, John Henry Herman Ablen (1887-1939) and Philomena Catherine Minnie Thiede Ablen (1883-1955) were the proud parents of Marie Agnes. She was the first of the Abeln triplets born, and then Marie’s sister Philamine and finally John arrived. This marked a milestone for the city of Shakopee as the first set of triplets born.
Marie Agnes Abeln’s grandparents were Henry Abeln (1862-1924) and Maria Mary Braun Abeln (1868-1916); and Herman Julius Thiede (1845-1922) and Elizabeth Refinish Thiede (1839-1932).
The Abeln family grew up in the big red house that was across from St. Mark’s Catholic Church. Marie has many fond memories living there with her siblings. She attended school through the eighth grade at St. Mark’s Catholic School.
For most of her working years Marie cleaned homes and maintained yards for several families in Shakopee. She also helped her mother with the family home as well. Marie was excellent with children, especially her nieces and nephews and loved being around them.
In her earlier years, Marie loved to find treasures at area garage sales, play bingo at St. Mark’s Church and at Levee Drive apartments, and watch games shows, especially Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. In her later years, she enjoyed listening to the polka music show at noon, working in the word search books, and playing cards.
At the age of 92, Marie was entertained watching Monday Night Raw Wrestling!
As little girls and well into their twenties, Marie and her sister, Phil, always dressed alike. This classy style was her foundation throughout her life. Marie loved clothes and jewelry. Dressing in finest clothes and accessorizing with jewelry, Marie always matched from head to toe. Marie had lived with her niece, Monica, where her weekly chore was folding towels for Monica’s Beauty Shop. She took great pride in folding them precisely.
A life-long resident of Shakopee and age 93, Marie, the last of the triplets to pass, entered God’s arms the mid-morning of Sunday, October 2, 2011, at her niece’s home in Shakopee.
Marie will always be loved and missed deeply by her nieces and nephews, Donald Schultz, Mary Hallich, Kathleen Siler, Anita (Tom) Roeser, Monica (Delton) Giese, Elise (Les) Guthrie, Peter Schultz, Joe Schultz, Donna (Kenny) Theis, Charlie (Lil) Abeln and many, many great- and great-great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two very special and dear caregivers, Mary Danner and Chris Thon; and hospice caregivers, Ann, Tamra, Deanna and Chaplain Tanya. Marie is preceded in death by her parents, John and Minnie; sister, Elizabeth (Don) Schultz; triplet brother, John (Marge) Abeln; triplet sister, Philamine “Phil” (Kerney) Hennen; infant brother, Peter Abeln; niece, Phyllis Schultz, grand-nephew, John Abeln, Larry Theis, and Scott Hallich.
Pallbearers were Peter Schultz, Charles Abeln, Kenny Theis, Thomas Roeser, Delton Giese and Darren Giese. Honorary pallbearers were her caregivers, Mary Danner and Chris Thon.
The funeral was at St. Mark’s Catholic Church on Oct. 6. Marie Agnes Abeln was laid to rest next to her parents at the Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee.