Cynthia Ann Thies, 90, died Monday, September 14, 2020 at Mountain Lodge Assisted Living in Douglas Wyoming.
She was born December 23, 1929 in Omaha, Nebraska to Fredrick and Maude (Tompkins) Reetz.
She was raised on the family farm north of Potter, Nebraska and graduated from Potter High School in 1947. She attended college in Greeley, Colorado and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi.
In August of 1949, Cynthia married Walter Hammond. The couple resided in Potter and had three children: Christy, Nancy, and Dallas. The couple divorced in 1959.
On September 16, 1960 Cynthia was united in marriage to Donald O. Thies in Valentine, Nebraska. They had three children: Tod, Tracy, and Timothy. They resided in Alliance, Nebraska for 29 years. Upon their retirement, they built a home at Lake McConaughy in the Cedar View area and lived there for 28 years.
Cynthia was employed as a teacher’s aide at the Alliance Public Schools and continued as a teacher aide in the Lewellen Schools after their move. Cynthia enjoyed the time she spent in the public schools with the students, as teaching and the relationships developed were especially important to her.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Alliance and served as the choir director for both the adult and children’s choirs for many years. She later attended the Presbyterian Church of Lemoyne and served as the pianist and organist for more than 20 years.
Her hobbies included sewing, crafts, canning and reading novels. Cynthia played the piano and organ and participated in the community choir. She was a member of the Keep Nebraska Beautiful committee, and an Ambassador for Weight Watchers. Cynthia served as a Leader in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Job’s Daughters programs. She volunteered on the Election Board in both communities. In 2019, Cynthia was recognized for 70 years of membership and service in Eastern Star. Most of her time was involved in community service, and she loved every minute of it.
Cynthia is survived by her children, Christy (Gerald) McAndrew of Douglas, WY, Nancy (James) Hardee of Douglas WY, Tod (Teresa) Thies of Alliance, NE, Tracy (Whitney) Loucks of Omaha, NE, Jeanine (Robert) Niemoller of Laramie, WY and Deanne (Sam) Rolls of Sammamish Island, WA; her daughter-in-law, Dawn Thies of Westminster, CO; 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, two sons, Dallas Thies in 1976 and Tim Thies in 2013, and her only brother, Doug Reetz.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Cynthia’s life will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be given in care of her son, Tod Thies, 6151 Logan Road, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301, for a memorial to be designated later.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.