Marie Thies

Marie Lucille Thies, 98, of West Union, formerly of Clermont, died October 22, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union. Memorial Services were held Saturday, October 31 at the West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, with Pastor Ginny Olson as the Officiant. There was a private family inurnment.
Marie was born June 9, 1917 to George and Ruth (Carney) Seitz in McGregor. She was raised in Allamakee County. Marie graduated from Waukon High School with a degree in Normal Training.
Marie was united in marriage with Louis H. Thies August 7, 1938 in Waukon. Together they farmed in Allamakee County. In 1948 they moved to Colorado and farmed until 1951 and then moved back to Iowa to farm in Fayette County. During 1968 they moved to an acreage near West Union, where they remained until they sold out and retired back to Colorado in 1982. After Louis’s death, she returned to Postville and enjoyed her garden and making quilts. In 2009 she moved into the Good Samaritan Society in West Union.
Marie was a great gardener and always canned enough to feed an army on a minute's notice. She picked black raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries, apples and anything else she could can and use in the winter. Marie enjoyed going fishing, dancing, playing cards, quilting and having company. She loved having her kids come home with their families. Marie was a member of the West Clermont Lutheran Church.
Marie is survived by her children, Barbara (Norman) Crawford of Cedar Rapids, Donna (Kenneth) Suckow of Castalia, Ellen (John) Guyer of Clermont, Dan (Linda) Thies of Shellsburg, Mary (Jim) Claussen of Schleswig and Linda (Richard) Schomburg of Cedar Rapids; her daughter-in-law, Helen Thies of Fort Mills, SC; 20 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; her parents, George and Ruth Seitz; her son, Duane Thies; her granddaughter, Jolien Suckow; her sisters, Fern Roffman and Dorothy Huff; and three brothers, John, Donald and Norman Seitz.
The Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin assisted the family with arrangements.