Jean LaVon Thies, of Sheridan, passed away on January 4, 2017. Services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, with visitation from 9:00-10:00 am and Celebration of Life service at 10:00 am. Burial will follow immediately after at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. The family invites all guests back to Immanuel Lutheran for an informal luncheon.
She was born November 28, 1922, in Leoti, KS to Evans and Nettie Wikoff. Jean was the youngest of seven children. She grew up in Western Kansas, attended local schools, junior college and later Wichita Business College.
While working in Wichita, she met and married Albert Thies on August 22, 1942. After Al returned from serving in WWII, they lived in Wichita for several years before moving to Garden City, KS and raising their four children. In 1965, they transferred to Sheridan, WY where both Jean and Al worked for many years.
Jean was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kansas as well as Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan. She taught Sunday school and volunteered with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and alter guild. She was an enthusiastic member of the Sheridan Hospital Auxiliary and the Lunch Together Soup Kitchen volunteers. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge and spending time with family and friends at the Thies cabin in the Big Horns.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1994; son, James, in 1980; son, Randy, in 2016; sisters Laura, Gladys, Genevieve and Helen; and brothers William and Grant.
She is survived by her son, John Douglas and his wife, Linda Thies of Anchorage, AK; daughter, Dr. Janet Maurer of Chicago, IL; daughter-in-law, Karla (Randy) Thies of Topeka, KS; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Jean requested donations be made to the Sheridan Public Library, 335 W. Alger, Sheridan, WY 82801 and Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1300 W. 5th St., Sheridan, WY 82801. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.
