Doreen Thies

DOREEN THIES was born on February 9, 1934 to Robert and Theresa (Stueven) Smidt in Pipestone County, MN, and raised on the farm. She was baptized on March 4, 1934 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. She attended rural school near Ihlen, MN, for one year and after the family moved to a farm near Pipestone, she attended District 35 country school for the next seven years with perfect attendance and high scholastic honors through the eighth grade. On May 16, 1948, she was confirmed at Trinity Luther Church in Jasper, MN. She continued her schooling in Pipestone and was involved in FAA, girls chorus, mixed chorus, sports, class play, school newspaper and was selected to the homecoming royal court. She graduated from Pipestone High School in 1952. Upon graduation, she worked at Pipestone National Bank as a secretary to the bank’s president. During this time she also played on the Pipestone Jayettes girls’ softball team. On January 30, 1954, Doreen was united in marriage to William “Bill” Thies. The couple lived southwest of Pipestone and Doreen raised their family while farming. She also served with Bill for many years on the Pipestone County Fair Board. In 1987, they moved to an acreage east of Pipestone. She then went to work at the Calumet Inn for nearly 15 years. Bill preceded her in death on October 7, 2018. In April 2020 she became a resident at the Good Samaritan Communities in Pipestone where on Friday, April 2, 2021 she went to be with her Lord at the age of 87 years, one month and 24 days.

Doreen was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was involved in LWML and Bible study. She was a member of the Pipestone County Pork Producers and Auxiliary. She enjoyed nature, feeding the birds, reading and baking. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting, many of which received awards at the county fair. She was proud to have made a special quilt to give to each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved going to her family’s sporting events and activities.

Doreen is lovingly remembered by her seven children, Rebecca (Dallas) Stueven of Sioux Falls, SD, Debra (Scott) Simonson of Waseca, MN, Stephen (Mary) Thies of Santa Fe, NM, Timothy (Joelle) Thies of Tea, SD, Craig (Pam) Thies of Pipestone, Pat Eischens of St. Peter, MN and Philip (Carmen) of Huron, SD; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; an additional great-granddaughter expected in July 2021; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; two granddaughters, Tara and Ashley Thies; and her parents.