Audrey Thiessen

Audrey Kaiser Thiessen, the daughter of George and Anna Stille Kaiser, was born Nov. 19, 1928, near Milford.

She graduated from Okoboji Consolidated School in 1946. She then went to Central Radio and Television School in Kansas City, Missouri, graduating in 1948. After graduation, she worked for Trans World Airlines in New York City. She joined the U.S. Naval Air Reserves and worked with the Link Trainers. On June 20, 1953, she married her high school boyfriend, Richard "Dick" Thiessen. After Dick was discharged from the Navy, they started farming with his dad. They raised their five children on a farm south of Everly.

Audrey was administrative secretary at the Everly Community School for 18 years, which she enjoyed very much. She later worked at Country Heart and at Health and Diet in Everly. She also dedicated her time to volunteering, including being an active member of the Hope Lutheran Church and serving as secretary, being a member of the Spencer Hospital auxiliary, TTT and supporting the Shriner ATV Corps.

She enjoyed traveling, visiting her children and relatives, attending Dick's Navy ship reunions, attending card club, and gardening. She enjoyed learning throughout her life, was incredibly computer savvy, and attended 3rd Age classes at Iowa Lakes into her 90s. She was very competitive and enjoyed playing cards, board games, and doing crossword puzzles.

Audrey passed away in Spencer on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the age of 95.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Left to cherish her memory are sister, Alice Rebec; sister in-law, Mary Ellen Cosimo; children, Karla (Scott) Rinehart, George (Kristine) Thiessen, Kimberly (Lane) Muckey, Karen (Jerry) Jolicoeur, and Leslie Thiessen; grandchildren, Matt (Amalie) Saboe, Marshal (Tonya) Saboe, Emma Rinehart, Katey (Skylar) Iske, Henry Rinehart, Whitney (Amy) Thiessen, Calvin (Krissy) Thiessen, Clarissa (Nick) Bierstedt, Jon (Jolie) Sheets, Kelly (Mitch) Olivier, TD (Sarah) Sherman, Tucker (Jess) Sherman, Josh (Kendra) Muckey, Marlana (Brandon) Tewes, Jessica (Jack) Jacobs, Philip (Michelle) Jolicoeur, Colin (Janea) Jolicoeur, Kimberly (Shane) Murray, and Sandy (Neal) Carter; 29 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.