John David Thies, 81, Luverne, died Friday, May 20, 2022, in his home.
A funeral service was Friday, May 27, at the United Methodist Church in Luverne with burial at Salem Cemetery in rural Pipestone.John Thies was born on Dec. 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. John was very active in high school sports, and his nine-man football team won the state championship.
On Aug. 9, 1959, John married Judy Jones at the Presbyterian Fireside Room in Pipestone. John was a resident of Pipestone for 38 years and Luverne for 40 years.
John never retired. He worked for Ford Motor, Dars Texaco Gas, Robson Grocery Store, Pepsi, Sturdevants Automotive, and Jaycox/Titan.
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.
John loved the outdoors and horseback riding. He 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 loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his four children, Terry (Lisa) Thies of Minnetonka, Jeffrey (Jeanne Sadecki) Thies of Chaska, Kimberly (Jonathan) Mulder of Katy, Texas, and Shelly (Rolland (Marty)) Wold of Burnsville; seven grandchildren, Joshua Mulder, Maisey Wahlquist, Colin Thies, Cody Thies, Josie Wold, Rylie Wold, and Marissa Wold; three great-grandchildren; 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 parents; his wife, Judy; and siblings William (Bill) Thies and Mary Hargens.
Memorials are preferred to the Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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