Bernard F. THAYER

THAYER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/22/2008 at 09:32:28

Bernard F. Thayer -- Born in Belmond, IA on April 18, 1920, died April 18, 2008. Preceded in death by wife of 59 years, Wilma and granddaughter Marny. Survived by his Boston Terrier, Abby and five children, Ron of Dallas, Gary (Boni) of Park Rapids, Marilyn (Arne) of Elk River, Shelby of Shell Lake and Chris (Linda) of Oakdale; 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Bernie and his 3 brothers and 3 sisters were raised in an Iowa orphanage. He unsuccessfully ran away 3 times before succeeding when he was 16. He joined the YCC briefly before forging his mother's signature to enlist in the Army when he was just 17. He served his country in WWII "the Big One" as a Master Sergeant with the C Battery of the 243rd Army Armored Field Artillery Battalion under Gen. Patton. Seeing duty in the European Theater in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, etc. Bernie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and Walleye fisherman. He could always be found putzing in his garage or organizing his tackle box. Celebration of his life will be held 11 AM Thursday, April 24 at The Colony of Eden Prairie, then a joint burial of the couple's ashes at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Bernie and his family wish to express their deepest gratitude to The Colony of Eden Prairie and their employees. They cared for him with the utmost dignity, and gave him great comfort and friendship after the passing of his wife. They treated him like family. Thank you as well to the the Fairview Hospice Program, his comfort was always their top priority and they assured that he felt no pain. Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph's Home for Children, Mpls. This spring, dedicate your first cast to our Dad and always remember that "HE LIVED."

Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN
April 22, 2008