Franklin William Thies

     Franklin William Thies, 81, of Iowa Falls, Iowa passed away Saturday December 9, 2017 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Iowa. A celebration of life will at 11:00 am Saturday December 30, 2017 at the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ; 496 Raven Ave.; Geneva, Iowa 50633. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials be sent to: Franklin Thies Memorial; ℅ Linn’s Funeral Home; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. Memorial proceeds will be used to set up a scholarship for those interested in agriculture, to continue his love for the farm. The Linn’s Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is helping the family with arrangements. For further information please visit linnsfuneralhome.com.

     Franklin William Thies was born March 9, 1936 to Frederick William and Taldine Wilhemina [Stoehr] Thies in a snowstorm at their farm in Grant Township of Franklin County. He attended Beaver Valley Country School, and graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1954. His senior year he earned the Iowa Farmer Award for the FFA [Future Farmers of America] and earned a gold for Parlimentary Procedure. He joined the Iowa Army National Guard right out of high school, and served for 5 years. On June 16, 1957 Franklin was united in marriage to Connie Surls and to this union five children were born: Bret, Tony, Ann, Bruce, and Jill. During his early years He worked as a milk man for Evergreen Dairy, and at the Weavers Quarry in Mason City. After working for Weavers he became a farmer, and farmed his whole life. On December 2, 1978 Franklin was united in marriage to Malinda L. [Koth] Carlberg. While farming he was a DeKalb Salesman for 45 years, during this time he received many, many, many salesman awards for DeKalb. Later on he was also a pilot car driver for Linn’s Escorting Service. He also served his community on the Franklin County Board of Adjustments and also served as the Grant Township Clerk. Franklin Thies was a long time member, over 50 years, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks [BPOE].

     Franklin William Thies is survived by his wife of 39 years: Malinda Thies of Iowa Falls; five children: Bret [Beth Jensen] Thies of Indianola, Iowa, Tony [Mari] Thies of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Ann [Tom] Humphrey of Polk City, Iowa, Bruce [Laura] Thies of Iowa Falls, and Jill [Kenny] Agan of Ankeny, Iowa; four step-children: Dennis [Holly] Carlberg of Iowa Falls, Michael Carlberg of Iowa Falls, Lynelle [Nick] Kling of Dumont, Iowa, and Angela [Dennis Heath] Norpel of Mesa, Arizona; numerous grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. Franklin Thies was preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Taldine Thies; a six-year-old brother: Frederick Thies; two sisters: Esther Haupt and Dorothy Hoffmeister; and one step-grandchild in infancy.