Donald Thiesse

Donald C. Thiesse, born July 24, 1931, formerly of Winona, passed away November 15, 2019, at Kingsley Shores Senior Living in Lakeville, MN.

Don was a long-time member of St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church where he devoted his time serving on the Endowment Fund, Ringing the Bell, Usher, and delivering church bulletins to shut-ins, along with many other jobs.  His biggest joy was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Don enjoyed woodworking, his John Deere toy collection, sitting on the front porch and fixing anything he could get his hands on. Other activities included traveling, attending estate and garage sales.

Don served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 as a cook. He moved to Winona in 1965 where he taught Industrial Arts at Winona Senior High School while enjoying his students and fellow teachers.

He is preceded in death by his wife Joanne, siblings Walter, Vera, Clarence, Luella, Elmer, Sylvan, Marvin, Martha and Lester.

Don is survived by sister Arlene (Don) Preston, St. Paul, MN; his two children: Lori (Dave) Decklever, Lakeville, MN, and Amy (Doug) Evenson, Holmen, WI; six grandchildren: Sarah (Chris) Richardson, Greenwood, IL; Kari (Dan) Flores, Woodbury, MN; Amanda (James) Nelson, Urbana, IL; Hannah (Kevin) Overlund, Farmington, MN; Cole Evenson, Houston, TX; and Joey Decklever, Farmington, MN; along with two great-grandchildren: Quinn Marie, and Carter James.

A visitation will be held at Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 201 Mankato Avenue, Winona, MN, on Saturday, November 30, 2019, from 1 until 3 PM.  Don will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with Military Honors at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Minnesota Hospice, 17645 Juniper Path, Suite 155, Lakeville, MN 55044.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Don’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.