Tammy Maes

Tammy Ann (Thielke) Maes (51) of Green Bay, passed away on April 5, 2023 from complications related to
cancer.

Tammy was born in Green Bay on November 19, 1971 to Jim and Opal Thielke. She was an imaginative child from the start, creating fictional friends and insisting they be acknowledged and included in family outings. When her little sister came along, Tammy was quick to develop a plan to keep the household status quo. She offered her mother one of her dolls, arguing the point that the new baby could easily be taken back to the hospital and replaced with this quieter, less needy substitute. 

In the way that so many siblings do, Tammy and her little sister, Angela, drove each other crazy when they were growing up. The number of times their father threatened to pull the family station wagon over and make them both walk home, was legendary. However, as annoyed as Tammy would get with her pesty, tagalong sister, she would flatten anyone else who dared mess with her. 

In high school, Tammy hung out in the art wing, painted sets for theatrical productions, was on the English academic team, and was an award winning member of DECA. She could talk her way into, or out of, just about anything. 

Tammy met her match when she was introduced to Aaron Maes, a young man who adored her, but wasn’t willing to cave to her every whim— a trait that made him infinitely more desirable than any who came before him. The two of them married, and over the next 25 years, created a life full of fun and devotion to animals, as pet owners and rescue volunteers. Beloved pets who met her on the other side were undoubtedly led by Remington, who lived to be a whopping 18 years old and was her devoted companion and couch snuggle buddy. In recent years, Tammy and Aaron joined the nosework community where Tammy proudly led Frannie Rue to multiple titles, including her NACSW Elite 2 Champion designation, making Frannie only the 10th Vizsla to ever achieve this honor. They also enjoyed spending time at their cabin up north and at their property in Florida, where Tammy relished having her feet in the sand, the sun on her face, her dogs playing in the surf, and fresh seafood for dinner. 

Tammy was proudly present at the birth of both her nephew, Ethan, and her niece, Lane. She was the fun aunt who had sleepovers, played endless board games, took them to movie premieres and bounce houses, bought them the coolest (and loudest) toys, and attended their many performances.

Tammy was employed by Schneider National for 30 years to the day. In her role as safety manager, she developed many close friendships through work and considered her teammates family. Tammy was a force to be reckoned with, and her confidence and capability made her a highly respected leader. Even near the end, Tammy was in charge, orchestrating the details of how she wanted the end of her life to play out. She was a planner and an organizer, and over the years, if you were lucky enough to have her assist with a project or event, you would immediately recognize her propensity for management and her attention to detail. 

Tammy is survived by her loving husband, Aaron Maes, her cherished dogs, Frannie Rue and Bernice, her sister and brother-in-law, Angela and Hank Zuidmulder, her nephew and niece, Ethan and Lane Zuidmulder, and her mother, Opal Thielke (Randy Kromm). Tammy was preceded in death by her father, James Thielke, and many beloved pets. 

Per Tammy’s wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life party at Ahnapee Brewery’s Suamico location on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 2:00-5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Get Toby Home, Inc. or to the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society (Port St. Joe, FL).