
Father Ken Thielman, volunteer pastor at CentraCare Health in Melrose, has been honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award by LeadingAge Minnesota.
The award recognizes individual volunteers in older adult services for their dedication, commitment and positive impact on the lives of seniors and their communities.
Father Thielman is a retired priest of the St. Cloud Diocese who served the Melrose area community for many years. After he moved to Park View Senior Housing in Melrose 18 years ago, he began celebrating daily Mass for the residents. He also provides comfort to his fellow residents and at the local hospital and serves Mass at community churches, logging more than 10,000 volunteer hours.