Terry Thies, aged 71, of Laguna Niguel, CA, formerly of Ashton, IA passed away at his home in Laguna Niguel, CA on Monday, December 9, 2013, following a courageous battle with cancer.
A Memorial Mass will be 11:00 AM, Monday, August 4, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, IA, with Father Al Reicks as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Ashton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Village Northwest Unlimited, or Ashton Public Library
The Jurrens Funeral Home in George is in charge of arrangements for Terry Thies
Terry Lynn Thies was born on May 14, 1942 in Ashton, IA, the son of G.W. “Gus” and Anne (Jackley) Thies. He grew up in Ashton and attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School. He then went on to college at Creighton University of Omaha, and later transferring to the University of Iowa in speech pathology. Terry received his Master’s Degree from California State University in Los Angeles, CA, and received the Alumnus of the Year award. He later received his Doctorate from USC. On August 6, 1964, Terry was united in marriage to Harriet Fleischer in Iowa City, IA. Following their marriage they both took jobs as itinerant speech therapists in the schools of Dubuque County, Iowa. Son Scott was born on January 1 of 1966 and at a few months of age was confirmed to have a profound bilateral hearing loss. This led to a comprehensive search for excellent education programs for deaf children and a move in 1969 to the San Gabriel Valley of southern California so Scott could attend the Alhambra public school program for deaf children.
Both Terry and Harriet continued work as itinerant speech-language pathologists in Los Angeles County. Terry had several accomplishments and as a member was awarded fellowships in the CSHA (California Speech Language & Hearing Association) and the ASHA (American Speech Language & Hearing Association). He retired as the Director of Special Education for L.A. County Schools.
Following their retirement Terry and Harriet spent ten years restoring Terry’s old family home in Ashton, IA and re-established friendships with many family members and friends in northwest Iowa.
Terry enjoyed traveling with his wife and they managed to visit all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, Europe, South America, Latin America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. Terry was a former member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, IA and was a member of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel, CA. Other hobbies and interests included photography, studying family history and gardening with his wife, Harriet.
He will be greatly missed by his surviving family including his son, Scott and wife Kimberly; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Harriet Thies on June 27, 2013; one sister, June Nearman; and two brothers, Junior Charles Thies and Orvalee Thies.
