In Memory of Loren N. Thies

Loren N. Thies, age 86, of Arthur, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at the Odebolt Specialty Care of Odebolt Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, November 7, 2022, at the St. Martin Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Father Joseph Dillinger will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the St. Martin Catholic Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held prior to the Mass from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m., on Monday, November 7, 2022, at the St. Martin Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Loren Nicholas Thies, the son of Linus and Clara (Ziegmann) Thies, was born on February 1, 1936, in Ida Grove, Iowa. His parents brought him home from the hospital during an Iowa blizzard. Loren grew up on a farm between Arthur and Odebolt, Iowa and received his education at Odebolt High School.

After high school, Loren entered the work force. He was employed as a mechanic at Rex Chevrolet for many years. He also hauled feeder pigs and farmed up until his retirement a few years ago. 

Loren was married to Joyce Skarin and they were blessed with three children: Randy, Cindy, and Rick. The couple would later part ways. On March 28, 1980, Loren married Mary Ann (O’Tool) Roeder at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He gained two sons, Dean and Paul. The couple made their home on the farm in rural Arthur, Iowa. 

Loren enjoyed building and racing stock cars, watching NASCAR, and woodworking. He was a lifetime member of the St. Martin Catholic Church in Odebolt. 

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Mary Ann Thies of Arthur, IA; children Dean (Dawn) Roeder of Arthur, IA, Paul (Sue) Roeder of Odebolt, IA, Cindy (Danny) Schroeder of Odebolt, IA and Ricky Thies of Lake View, IA; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Rochelle Thies of Galva, IA; brothers Richard (Sherry) Thies of Arthur, IA, Ronald (Zanet) Thies of Ida Grove, IA and Rudy (Deanna) Thies of Arthur, IA; sisters Joann Lund of Arizona, Diane (Gary) Boerner of Gowrie, IA, Linnea (Bill) Hopp of Cedar Rapids, IA and Mary (Bob) Jochims of Oologah, OK; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clara and Linus Thies; son Randy Thies; grandson Cody Hammond; granddaughter Heather Schroeder; brothers-in-law Norman Lund and Larry Kjar; and nephew Brad Kjar.