John David Thies

JOHN DAVID THIES was born on December 16, 1940 to Lawrence and Julia (Sutherland) Thies in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Methodist Church in Salem, South Dakota. John attended a small country school for his elementary grades and then Egan High School in Egan, South Dakota, where he graduated in 1958. Growing up, John enjoyed horseback riding and was very active in high school sports, playing softball, basketball, football and was involved in track. His nine-man football team won the state championship. On August 9, 1959, John was united in marriage to Judy Jones at the Presbyterian Fireside Room in Pipestone, Minnesota. John was a resident of Pipestone, Minnesota for 38 years and Luverne, Minnesota for 40 years. John never retired. He worked for Ford Motor, Dars Texaco Gas, Robson Grocery Store, Pepsi, Sturdevants Automotive, and Jaycox/Titan. On Friday, May 20, 2022, John passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 81 years, 5 months, and 4 days.

John was a member of United Methodist Church in Luverne where he was involved as a choir member, played on the church softball league, and was active with the couples club. John loved music. He was involved in the Luverne Community Choir and was a member of Caballeros Del Norte. He and Judy were active with AFS for 25 years, connecting many foreign exchange students with local families. John was a member of the Lions Club and an avid supporter of Luverne sports and school events. He loved the outdoors and horseback riding. John had a love for growing plants, especially African violets. He enjoyed car shows and was a car enthusiast, especially antique cars. He was an avid Louis L’ Amour book reader and enjoyed western movies. He often would be seen riding his fat tire bike around town. His life revolved around his family. He spent a good deal of time taking walks with his family. He dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandbabies. Family, faith, and work – those were his priorities.

John was a selfless giver of himself, always lending a helping hand and living out, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. He was an honest man, a hard worker, and someone you could rely on to finish the job. He will be remembered for saying “How ‘bout that”. He had a strong faith that he got from his grandmother. John was one of the kindest, sweetest men you could ever know. John was the kind of man that just by his presence, your life was touched. If you knew John, it was truly an honor to have been allowed to have your path cross with his. Many hearts and lives were touched because of him and blessed by his life. He will be deeply missed by many, as well as his big smile.

Left to cherish his memory are his four children, Terry (Lisa) Thies of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Jeffrey (Jeanne Sadecki) Thies of Chaska, Minnesota, Kimberly (Jonathan) Mulder of Katy, Texas, and Shelly (Rolland (Marty)) Wold of Burnsville, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Joshua Mulder, Maisey Wahlquist, Colin Thies, Cody Thies, Josie Wold, Rylie Wold, and Marissa Wold; three great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Tripp, and Hattie; siblings, Jim (Dell) Thies of Pipestone, Judy Jansen of Pipestone, and Mark (Diaine) Thies) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and AFS children, Anna, Paolo and Angela, Arias, Maria, Aparicio, and Rhonda Scully. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; siblings, William (Bill) Thies and Mary Hargens; and parents, Lawrence and Julia Thies.

Memorials are preferred to the Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund at:

Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund
48767 238th St
Pipestone, Minnesota
56164
Attn: Roger Reed