Arlene B. Thies, 87, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, August 10, 2008, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 14th, at 11:00 am at West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, with Vicar Christian Eisenbeis officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 - 8:00 pm Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Arlene Bernita Thies was born on June 25, 1921 in rural Waterville, IA, the daughter of Louis and Emma (Haas) Gjefle. She was baptized at West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church and confirmed at East Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church. Arlene attended Waterville Elementary School and graduated from Waterville High School in 1940 where she played on the basketball team going to state three times. She worked for area farm families where she helped with daily chores in the home and on the farm. On May 16, 1942 she married Frank Robert Thies in Abilene, TX. They farmed together in Paint Creek Township for many years before selling the farm to their children in 1976, and later moved to Waukon in 1996. Arlene worked for Monserud Insurance Company as a bookkeeper from 1976 to 1986.
She was a member of West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church and was very active in the ladies' aid. Arlene and Frank also helped take care of the church and cemetery grounds. Arlene was a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Allamakee Chapter. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, walking, gardening, dancing and playing cards. Her favorite times were spent with her family and friends. Arlene also enjoyed following her children and grandchildren's activities.
Survivors include her children, Janice (Byron) Dennison of Waunakee, WI, Diane (Terry) Oesterle and Don (Thea) Thies both of Waukon; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Lillian (Stanley) Marshall of Tacoma, WA and Norma (Charles) Gress of Cedar Falls, IA. Arlene is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank who died in 2002; a son, Robert Thies and a brother, Orville Gjefle.
Honorary casketbearers are Tracy Dennison, Barbara Deslonde, Kari Kelly, Kristen and Regan Thies. Casketbearers are Shane Oesterle, Jeff and Marc Dennison, Ryan and Christopher Thies and Chad Kelly.