Elizabeth Thayer

FUNERAL SERVICES: 11 AM Monday, July 21 at St Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids VISITATION: 5 to 8 PM Sunday, July 20 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home INTERMENT: Riverside Cemetery at Osage, MN ELIZABETH A. "Bobbie" THAYERAugust 5, 1933 " July 16, 2008 Elizabeth A. "Bobbie" Thayer, age 74 of Park Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully at her home with her loved ones at her side on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 . Bobbie was born on August 5, 1933 in Denver , CO to John and Myrtle (Randal) Diekerman. It was in Denver that she attended public schools, graduating from the North High School with the Class of 1951. She went on to attend the Denver General Nursing School from which she graduated in 1953. In October of that same year, Bobbie was united in marriage to Gordon Manley Thayer. This union was blessed with three children: John, Jim and Kim. Bobbie dedicated herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will long be remembered for her delicious homemade enchiladas. Gordon had made a career of serving in the United States Airforce, and they made their home at airforce bases throughout the United States until his retirement. In May of 1974, Bobbie and Gordon purchased a farm near Park Rapids where they engaged in farming. In addition to caring for their own children, Bobbie and Gordon were foster parents for a number of years. She was a long time and active member at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman. In 2001, they transferred their membership to St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Bobbie loved working on handcrafts and had been a faithful participant in the North Country Arts and Crafts Workshop for the past 28 years. She was also a gifted painter and had enjoyed teaching her skills to other budding artists. Bobbie was an avid rock collector and had traveled throughout the United States collecting rare and special rocks which she would polish and often make into jewelry. She loved the out of doors and enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the continental United States , Canada and Alaska . Bobbie was active in her community. She had been a member of the Town and Country Homemakers Club for 30 years. She volunteered at the Osage School kindergarten program and had served as an Osage Township election judge for many years. Above all, Bobbie devoted her life to her husband, children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Gordon of Park Rapids; her children: Jim (Brenda) Thayer of Owatonna, MN and Kim ( Wayne ) Kucera of Onamia , MN ; her daughter-in-law, Mrs John (Susan) Kettle of St. Louis, MO; nine beloved grandchildren: Amy (Daniel "Punky") Massie, Aleshea Thayer, Jackie (Billy) Heinz, Joel Thayer, Tony (Bobbie) Kucera, Levi Kucera, John Kucera, Heather (Matt) Singleton and Sara (Dan) Sander; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Bobbie was preceded in death by her son, John Kettle in May of this year; her parents and one sister. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, July 21 at St Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Rev. James Nuebauer and Rev. Bill Neumann officiating. The soloists will be Lynn Just who will sing, "On eagles Wings" and granddaughter, Aleshea Thayer who will sing, " ". The casket bearers will be: Joel Thayer, Levi Kucera, John Kucera, Tony Kucera, Billy Heinz and Punky Massie. Honorary casket bearers will be: John and Patty Shepersky, Leo and Jean Schmid, Marvin and Coralynn Lempola and Jim and Pat Boyd. Interment will be made at the Riverside Cemetery at Osage, MN. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Sunday, July 20 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and again on Monday beginning one hour prior to the services at the church. Visitation: 5 to 8 PM Sunday, July 20 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and again on Monday beginning one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorial Service: 11 AM Monday, July 21 at St Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids Interment: Riverside Cemetery at Osage, MN Survived by: husband, Gordon of Park Rapids; her children: Jim (Brenda) Thayer of Owatonna, MN and Kim ( Wayne ) Kucera of Onamia , MN ; her daughter-in-law, Mrs John (Susan) Kettle of St. Louis, MO; nine beloved grandchildren: Amy (Daniel "Punky") Massie, Aleshea Thayer, Jackie (Billy) Heinz, Joel Thayer, Tony (Bobbie) Kucera, Levi Kucera, John Kucera, Heather (Matt) Singleton and Sara (Dan) Sander; Preceded in Death by: her son, John Kettle, her parents and one sister.