Alan Thiem, 75, Cannon Falls, died peacefully on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Angels Care Center.

He was born July 16, 1936 in Detroit Michigan, the son of Alfred Thiem and Louise (Golder) Thiem.

He grew up in Alpena Michigan, and graduated from Alpena High School in 1954. After graduation, Alan served four years in the United States Air Force.

Alan married Joanne Lucas in Wayne Michigan on May 5, 1962. They lived in Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota for a span of almost 25 years while he was an air traffic controller. Returning to Michigan for 10 years, a position in the US Postal Service brought him back to Minnesota. He retired in 2004.

Alan was a member of St Ansgar's Lutheran Church, where he served on the property committee and assisted in ushering on a regular basis He was a volunteer with the Respite Care & Senior Companion Program at Shepherd's Center of the Cannon Valley.

Alan enjoyed building and fabricating wood splitters, working in his shop, gardening, and any time spent on his tractor. He also loved hunting, fishing and camping with his family. After retirement, Alan and Joanne enjoyed traveling and spent several winters in Arizona and Texas.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joanne; son, John; grandchildren, Joseph (Brook Pommerening), Bradey, Tyler, and Courtney Thiem; great-grandchildren, Lila Marie Neufeld, Hannah, Gavin, and Mason Thiem; sister, Caroline (Art) Fennell, Oregon; niece, Kristin Graf, Oregon; relatives and many friends. Family from out of state include Darlene and Bill Hawley, Steve Hawley, Cheryl Kuban, Dr. Richard Kneip and daughter Chelsea Kneip of Michigan; Darrell and Allen Lucas of Virginia; and Jeff Hawley of Georgia.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Tom.

Honorary pallbearers will be George Barz, Larry Grimm, Darrell Lucas, Glen Lundell, Francis Nelson, and Robert Yanda.

Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Cannon Falls Beacon Cannon Falls MN January 26, 2012