From the family farm to Senior Living, Selma Thiel feels at home With a life story as fertile as the fields she once tended, Selma Thiel’s journey from the farmlands of Pigeon to her cozy apartment at Country Bay Village is a testament to the enduring spirit of family and hard work. beyond their farm. One of her fondest memories is taking friends to Hawaii after a successful year of selling seed — a testament to their hard work and a joyful celebration of their accomplishments. A Life Filled With Love & Laughter
Selma's roots run deep in Pigeon, Michigan, where she was born some 90 years ago and raised in a house built by her grandfather. Raising six children of her own, four daughters and two sons, Selma and her late husband, Robert, transformed her childhood home into a lively hub of activity. Farming was more than just a job for Selma and Bob —it was their lifeblood. They ran a bustling dairy farm with over a hundred cows and raised beef cattle, working side-by-side from dawn till dusk. Selma wasn't just a bystander; she was in the thick of it, operating the combine and tackling the relentless demands of farm life. “We farmed together; it was hard work, but it was our life,” she says, reflecting on those demanding yet rewarding days. “Back then, we didn’t have sprays to put on the crops, so you had to step up and hoe the field yourself. If I had a penny for every foot I hoed in the fields, I’d be rich,” Selma joked. Despite the never-ending work, Selma and her husband found time to explore the world
High school sweethearts from rival towns, Selma and Bob met in Elkton, where they began their lifelong journey together. They married in 1952 when Selma was just 18. “I had four children (June, Bob, Joyce and Ron), then eight years later, we had Mary and Patty,” she recalls. “They all still live within a few miles from me, which I am so grateful for.” Her husband, Bob passed away just after Thanksgiving in 2021, leaving a legacy of love and laughter. Known for his loud and lively presence, Selma fondly remembers his joy of lively conversation and for anyone that knew him...teasing. “He loved to talk, and he talked loud because he couldn’t hear very well later in life,” she says, smiling at the memories. The decision to move to Country Bay Village came as her house became too large and after decades of constant action, too quiet. “My house was just too big, about 3,000 square feet with six bedrooms upstairs,” Selma explained.
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