Kenneth Lavern Thiemann

Obituary Kenneth LaVern Thiemann 7/23/1920 - 1/18/2016 The strong and sturdy body that carried him well for over 95 years had grown weak and tired. He knew and explained that eternal peace would be the next stop on his journey. Born to Fredrick and Victoria (Petrowski) Thiemann, Ken lived in Peru, Illinois from the day he was born until the day he left for the Navy in 1940. He was a proud member of our greatest generation, serving in the US Navy until 1946. After the war, he was stationed in San Francisco and met and married Lois Ann (Arntzen) Thiemann, the daughter of Montana homesteaders. After his honorable discharge, they moved to Havre, Montana, where their two children, Kenneth Carl and Coralyn Ann, were born. Initially working on the Arntzen homestead, Ken & Lois Ann later moved to Havre where Ken joined Great Northern Railroad, later becoming Burlington Northern RR. A dedicated employee, his employment eventually took their family to Billings, Great Falls, Spokane, Seattle and later back to Spokane, where he retired in 1982. His great accomplishments included advancing into the Seattle accounting office and the esteem of his coworkers who often said, "When he did payroll, there were never any mistakes."   Life with his young family was highlighted with summer trips on the train to reconnect with Ken's siblings and their families in Illinois and trips to Glacier Park. Throughout his life, Ken also weathered many storms that came his way, including divorce, and yet, his endurance sustained him as he continued down life's path. The most significant rainbow along his journey was his second chance at love with his sweetheart, his dear Mary Ann (Greenwood) Thiemann. Their loving marriage spanned over 30 years and was filled with travel, joy, family and adventure. His favorite memories include winters away in Hawaii, Florida and Texas, golf, their Sojourner friends and his affiliation with the El Katif Shriners. Following Mary Ann's passing in 2013, he moved to Tacoma to be closer to his son's family.   He was a dedicated and loving patriarch to his family and was fiercely adored by his grandchildren, great grandchildren and many extended family members. Ken, with his gift of gab, loved going out for meals, including Ivar's for his favorite fish & chips or Sunday champagne brunch at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane.   A witty jokester with a handful of magic tricks, Ken loved to share a laugh with everyone he met. His bright smile and inviting eyes drew many to him and his engaging storytelling brought him many lifelong friends. He loved a good card game and the camaraderie that always seemed to follow.   Ken was acutely aware of the many blessings in his life and often shared a poem with a recurring line, "I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed." as his way of expressing his gratitude. Ken is survived by his children, Ken (Kathleen), Coralyn (Peter) Plein; his step-daughter, Bonnie (Michael) Grant, their children and grandchildren.   A special thank you to all his friends and workers at Point Defiance who made his move to Tacoma bearable in the beginning and fulfilling at the end, as well as the talented and kind care team of the Coronary Care Unit at Tacoma General Hospital.   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (7112 S. 12th Street, Tacoma, Washington). Interment at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Spokane, Washington at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please remember Ken with donations to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.