Martin Henry Thies 1907-2006

THIES, KUHLMANN, ERNST

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 22:55:05

Martin Thies
Sept. 28, 1907-June 11, 2006

Martin H. Thies, age 98 of Mapleton, Iowa, died Sunday, June 11, 2006 in Mapleton.

Services were held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton with Rev. Dr. Scott Fiege officiating. Burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mapleton with military graveside honors by the American Legion Homer Hall Post #66 of Charter Oak. Norma Jean Dose was the organist for the service and Marie Whiteing was the soloist. The congregation sang, "Lift High The Cross". Marie sang, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "How Great Thou Art". A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Martin Henry Thies was born September 28, 1907, on the family farm, two miles north of Charter Oak, Iowa, the son of Carl and Alvena (Kuhlmann) Thies. He was baptized and confirmed by Pastor Amstein at St. John's Lutheran Church, Charter Oak. He received his education at St. John's Lutheran School, and after completing his education, Martin helped on the family farm. In the fall of 1942, he was called to serve his country during World War II, achieving the rank of Corporal at Brookley Field, Mobile, Alabama. Later he was given an honorable discharge.

Upon returning to Charter Oak, he was a lifelong farmer on the family farm, until his retirement in 1977.

He married Juanita Ernst, May 8, 1976, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Charter Oak. They made their home in Mapleton and had recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.

He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton and a 65 year member of the American Legion Homer Hall Post #66 of Charter Oak, Iowa.

Martin was a true gentleman in every aspect of his life and had a deep, personal relationship with God. Integrity and honesty were the strongest parts of his character. He will always be in the hearts of those who truly knew him. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and especially grandfather.

Survivors include his wife, Juanita; son, Robert and wife, Celesta of Conifer, Colorado and daughter, Linda (Ernst) Roesler and husband, Curt, of Marengo, Iowa; his adoring, beloved grandchildren, Cari and Matt Zeimet of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Matt and Jodie Roesler of Taji, Iraq, Courtney Ernst of Denver, Colorado, and Morgan Ernst of Boulder, Colorado; and two sisters, Helen Schulz and her husband, Hugo, of Charter Oak, Iowa and Henrietta Schulz of Bennigton, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Ernst, his parents, one brother and one sister.

Pallbearers were Arlyn Schulz, Alan Schulz, Lyle Schulz, Loren Schultz, Donald Grap and Bob Collins.

Arrangements were made under the direction of the Armstrong Funeral Home of Mapleton.