John Frederick William Thiede, Jr.

John Frederick William Thiede Jr. Obituary John Frederick William Thiede Jr., age 87, passed away on December 23, 2020 in Hays, Kansas. He was born July 27, 1933 in Wausau, Wisconsin to John Frederick William Thiede Sr., and Leona (Helke) Thiede. John grew up with three sisters, two older and one younger, he also had a sister and brother that died at birth. He enlisted in the Navy in 1953, he traveled to 18 countries while in service. John always talked about how the Korean War ended on his birthday, July 27, 1953 and that he was a Sideboy for Omar Bradley when they signed the treaty on the U.S.S. Missouri. He was very passionate about the time he served and was proud to be a Veteran. In early 1960 John purchased his first farm in Ringle, Wisconsin. Then on May 7, 1960 he married Darleen Shirley Witter. To this union nine children were born: John Frederick William IV, Justin Jerry, Walter Carl, Charlayne Kay, Paulette Jean, Evone Darleen, Glen Dale, Kristine Karen, and Debra Jane (D.J.). In 1972 the family moved from Ringle, Wisconsin to Burlington, Colorado where they settled on a farm south of town. John pursued many different paths throughout his years. He started with a small farm ranch operation and had his own sales business, Thiede Livestock and Sales. His next business venture took him across the United States as he worked side by side with his family in a traveling family business. In his later years he started a business, Penny Crafters, where he sold merchandise to retail stores across the country. John was a very skilled individual that loved to create anything that his mind could imagine. Over the years he engaged in many side jobs and hobbies that enabled him to put those skills to work. In 1991 John moved to Yuma, Arizona where he lived out his remaining years. He was very involved in his church, Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church and enjoyed his retirement in the mild Arizona winters. During the summer months he would make trips to Colorado, Kansas and Nevada to escape the desert heat and to visit family. John was very proud of his family, but his greatest joys were found in his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. John Jr. is survived by his son John IV (Cassie) Thiede and children John V (JT) (fiancé Kalesha), Cody (Anna) and daughter Lauraine, and Tiffanie (Nathan Rohr) of Hays, KS; daughter Charlayne (Jay) Bancroft of Vona, CO, children Kyle (Autumn) and son Jackson of Burlington, CO, and Naomi of Stratton, CO; daughter Paulette (Rod) Thompson and children Trey (Shelby) and baby May 2021, Torrie of Stratton, CO, and Trevor (fiancé Abi) of Cheyenne, WY; daughter Evone (Gregg) Waggoner and children Tyler (Kayla) and baby January 2021 of Quinter, KS, Toby (Meredith) of Oakley, KS, and Tanner of Collyer, KS; son Glen (Sheryl) Thiede and children Sierra of Midas, NV, Dusty, and Paige (fiancé Colton Vega) of Golconda, NV; daughter Kristine (Eric) Richardson and children Mitchell (fiancé Shalynn), Justine, and Garrett of Burlington, CO; daughter Debra Thiede (fiancé Danny Hill), children Justin, Joseph, Casey, Trenton, Ashton, Michaelle, Janette, and Britney of Winnemucca, NV; Granddaughter Brooke (Thiede) Keating, children Breann (Sam) Montgomery, Bailey, Bridgett, and Lilly of Colorado Springs, CO; sister Merriel (Alfred) Niles of Shawano, WI as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephews. John was preceded in death by Darleen Thiede, sons Walter Thiede, and Justin Thiede, daughter-in-law Kim Thiede, grandchildren Justin Jr. (Jay) Thiede, Trinidy Thiede, Dallas Thiede, and Evan Bancroft. His parents John F. W. Thiede Sr. and Leona (Helke) Thiede, his sisters Merceda (Thiede) Kottke, and Marilyn Thiede. Memorials may be made to the Evan Bancroft Memorial Fund in John's memory and may be left at or sent to Love Funeral Home, 377 15th Street, Burlington, Colorado 80807 or mailed to the Evan Bancroft Memorial, 20705 CR KK, Vona, CO 80861. A memorial service was held Friday, January 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington, CO. with Pastor Jeff Hanson officiating. John was laid to rest in the Smit Cemetery, Vona, Colorado. Service arrangements were handled by Love Funeral Home of Burlington, Colorado. Pallbearers were John (J.T.) Thiede, Cody Thiede, Kyle Bancroft, Trey Thompson, Toby Waggoner, and Mitchell Richardson. Honorary Pallbearers are John W. Thiede IV, Glen Thiede, and all remaining grandchildren.