Gertrude E. Thies (1915-2003)

THIES

Posted By: Patrick Turner (email)
Date: 3/22/2003 at 19:01:06

Thursday, February 27, 2003

In Memory: Gertrude Ellen Thies
Gertrude Ellen Thies, 87, died February 19 at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan.
She was born on March 14, 1915 on her parents' farm near Neola. She was the daughter of Wenzel
and Anna Beck Biederman. She attended country school.
On June 26, 1936, Gertrude married Elmer John Thies in Harlan. They lived on a farm near
Minden, then moved to the Thies family farm in 1948 and remained there until Elmer's death in 1977.
Gertrude worked alongside her husband on the family farm. She worked as a resident counselor at
REM Leadway in Shelby for many years. She enjoyed needlework and sewing and spent many hours at
her sewing machine.
She enjoyed spending time with her family and took special pride in her grandchildren. She was a
member of the Minden United Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter, Charlene Ann Thies; three brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include two daughters, Joan Brown and her husband Quincy of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Gayle Prokupek and her husband Robert of Avoca; a son, Gene Thies of Minneapolis; five grandchildren, Chris Brown and his wife LaTanya, Robert Prokupek and his wife Dianna, Andrea Bolle and her husband Travis, Matthew Prokupek and Sarah Prokupek; five great grandchildren; three sisters, Hilda Iverson of Sioux City, Aida Price and Phyllis Delph, both of Council Bluffs; three brothers, Joseph Biederman and his wife Phyllis of Logan, Robert Biederman and his wife Jeanette and Donald Biederman and his wife Beth, all of Sioux City; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Visitation with the family was held Saturday evening at Pauley Knutson Funeral Home in Avoca. Funeral service was at 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Minden United Church of Christ in Minden with the Rev. Denny Peterson officiating. Burial was in the Minden Cemetery.

AVOCA - The funeral for Gertrude E. Thies, 87, of Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Minden United Church of Christ in Minden with the Rev. Denny Peterson officiating.

Mrs. Thies died Feb. 19 at Elm Crest.

She was born in rural Neola. She lived in rural Avoca, Shelby and the Minden area before moving to Elm Crest about two years ago. She was a homemaker and a member of Minden United Church of Christ.
Mrs. Thies was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Thies, on March 7, 1977. They were married 40 years.
Survivors include two daughters, Joan Brown and husband, Quincy, of Minneapolis and Gayle Prokupek and husband, Robert, of Avoca; one son, Gene, of Minneapolis; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Hilda Iverson of Sioux City, Alda Price and Phyllis Delph, both of Council Bluffs; three brothers, Joseph Biederman and wife, Phyllis, of Logan, Robert Biederman and wife, Jeanette, and Donald Biederman and wife, Beth, all of Sioux City.
Visitation with the family will be Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Pauley Knutson Funeral Home in Avoca. Burial will be in Minden Cemetery.
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