Richard Irving Thiessen

Richard Irving 'Dick' Thiessen, the son of Albert and Clara (Fell) Thiessen, was born July 27, 1927 on a farm north of Everly. His childhood years were spent north of Everly in Westport Township, where he attended country schools. When he was in 6th grade, his family moved to a farm south of Everly, where he completed his education, graduating from Everly High School in 1945. He entered the military in 1945 and served with the U.S. Navy during WWII until his discharge in 1946. He returned to Everly and began faming. Dick continued his military career with the Ready Reserves from 1946 until 1950, and in 1950 he returned to active duty aboard the USS Shields in the West Pacific during the Korean War until his discharge in 1954. He continued in the Ready Reserves from 1954 until 1963. Dick married Audrey Kaiser on June 20, 1953 at the First Reformed Church near Everly. After their marriage, they continued farming and raised their five children. Dick reenlisted in the Active Navy Reserves during the Vietnam War and was actively involved in ship duty cruises, training schools, station duty, and was an Executive Officer and Training Officer for 24 years. He permanently retired from the U.S. Navy in July of 1987 after 42 years of service with the rank of CW04 Quartermaster-Navigator. Dick was an active member of the Hope Lutheran Church in Everly. He was also active in his communities: Abu Bekr Shrine, Spencer ATV Corp, Evening Shade Lodge # 312 A.F. & A.M. of Spencer, Everett Boyles, Jr. American Legion Post #414 of Everly, VFW Clay County Post #3159 of Spencer, and several other military organizations. He was an active member of the Clay County Republican Party, was on the board of Evertek and was also one of its founding members, was a member of the Clay County Extension Council and the Spencer Zoning Board. He volunteered at the Spencer Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and was a volunteer DAV hospital driver. He especially enjoyed having coffee with his friends at Sister's Cafe. Richard passed away at Longhouse Residence in Spencer, Iowa on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters: Sara Goddard and Clarice Elbert. He is survived by his wife, Audrey of Spencer; his children: Karla Saboe of Spencer, George (Kristine) Thiessen of Everly, Kimberly (Harold) Robinson of Spencer, Karen (Jerry) Jolicoeur of Minden, Nevada, and Leslie (Doug) Crotty of LaVerkin, Utah; 10 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; three sisters: Frances Nassif of Des Moines, Iowa, his twin sister, Rhoda Kaiser of Spencer, and Mary Cosimo of Des Moines, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

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