Bonnie Thies

Obituary

Bonnie Lou Thies was born on July 12, 1934, at the home of her parents, John W. and Teckla (Carlson) Aronson in Hayti, South Dakota. Her twin sister, Marjorie, died soon after birth. She was baptized and confirmed at Hayti Lutheran Church. Bonnie graduated from Hayti High School and attended two years at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. She did clerical work for several companies and attorney offices throughout her working career.

Bonnie was joined in marriage to Willard Franklin Thies on June 25, 1961, at Hayti Lutheran Church. The couple took over the family farm in Kelso Township, Sibley County in rural Arlington. They were blessed with two sons, Brian David and Jason Franklin. In 1974, they moved to a farm in Dryden Township, north of Gaylord. They also operated Thies Grain and Trucking for many years until Willard retired because of health problems. The couple shared 34 years of marriage when Willard passed away on July 11, 1995. Bonnie remained on the farm until 2001 when she moved to Gaylord.

Bonnie was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaylord where she served as organist for 25 years; was on the church council, taught Sunday School and confirmation, was an officer of the ELCA and sang and led the Choir. She was also a member of the Sibley County Choral Society for many years and the Forever Young Senior Citizen’s Center.

Bonnie’s love of travel took her to Hawaii, Europe, Scandinavia, and Australia. Her pastimes included going to auctions and garage sales to add to her many collections of salt and pepper shakers, cups and saucers and angels. Bonnie enjoyed tatting and other needlework.

When she needed assistance with her care, Bonnie became a resident of Golden Hearts in Arlington and passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia at the age of 91 years. Blessed be her memory.

Bonnie is survived by her:
Sons, Brian Thies and his wife, Rosemary of Green Isle, MN, and
Jason Thies of Brooklyn Park, MN;
Grandchildren, Nicholas (Hayley) Thies of Arlington, MN, and Elizabeth (Blake) Ekelund of Gaithersburg, MD;
Sister, Joanne Wilson of Rapid City, SD;
Sister-in-law, Elaine Thies of Gaylord, MN;
Several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her Parents, John and Teckla Aronson; Husband, Willard Thies; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, William and Selma Thies; Sisters, Irene Ottoson and her husband, Nels, Dorothy Meyers and her husband, Ray, Ruth Harris and her husband, Rue; June Aronson and Marjorie Aronson in infancy; Brother, John Aronson and his wife, Darlene; Brother-in-law, Ellsworth Thies.

Bonnie’s life was rooted in faith, love of family and service to others. Her family finds comfort in the words of Romans 8:31-39, confident that nothing can separate her-or those who loved her-from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This was a verse Bonnie carried with her from the Luther League Conference of 1952.