Evangelina R Thole

Angie was born on May 24, 1948, in San Diego, Texas, the first of 13 children to Raquel and Jesus. Angie grew up in nearby Robstown, though the family traveled during the summers to work in agriculture, often in Minnesota and Michigan. After high school, Angie studied English at Texas A & I University in Kingsville and became a migrant-school teacher’s aide. This led her to a training in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1968 where she met a migrant-school teacher named Larry Thole. Angie knew immediately that she had met her future husband, though Larry would later say he didn’t know how he convinced her to marry him, but it was the best thing he ever did.

Angie and Larry were married on November 28, 1970. Larry was working on his master’s in education at University of St. Thomas, an accomplishment he may have never achieved without Angie’s help in copyediting and typing his papers. The couple settled in Raymond, MN, where they raised their two children, Ann and Liz, Larry taught school and Angie directed her indefatigable work ethic, genuinely kind and caring nature, and forthright candor toward her new community, friends, and family. At any gathering, Angie was the first to wash dishes, even as others were still enjoying their coffee. She never hesitated to tackle a task, speak her mind, or stand up for what was right. Her authenticity and keen wit drew people to her and made her instantly beloved, especially by her in-laws, who marveled at the energy and strength powered by such impossibly tiny feet. 

Angie was ever the caregiver, from caring for her younger siblings, children, and grandchild, to the work she chose as a teacher’s aide, paraprofessional, daycare provider, and nursing home aide. Even in her last stage of life, the staff at Clara City Assisted Living and Memory Care described Angie as a thoughtful, kind caregiver, and the family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to the staff members there who cared for Angie.

Angie leaves behind her husband Lawrence; children Ann Thole and Elizabeth (Steve) Saevig; her granddaughter, Kiera; ten siblings (all of Texas): Catarino Rodriguez (Emilia), Maria De La Luz Rodriguez, Graciela Saiz (Reymundo), Gilberto Rodriguez (Linda), Gabriela Limón (Abel), Elvira Rivera (Jesse), Guadalupe Rodriguez, Raquel Salas (Juan), Rene Rodriguez (Dave), and Esmeralda Alexandar (LeRoy); siblings-in-law James (Janet) Thole, Catherine (Bob) Phelps, George (Elaine) Thole, and Michael; numerous nieces and nephews; and two godchildren, Denise (Thole) Du Vernay and Emily (Volz) McCabe. 

Angie was preceded in death by her parents, Raquel and Jesus Rodriguez Sr., her siblings Elia Rodriguez and Jesus Rodriguez Jr, her parents-in-law George and Ramona Thole, and her nephew Curt Phelps.