Obituary of Margareta Jakobine Thiner

    Margaret Jakobine "Oma" Thiner, daughter of Alex and Christina (Hansen) Garth, was born March 2, 1932 in Niebüll, Germany. She spent her youth at Wessbydamm, Germany and attended school there. She later would further her education in the field of nursing.
    In 1953, Margaret came by ship to visit family here in America. She returned in 1955 and lived with the Salzwedel family of Lakefield, Minnesota. They helped her learn the  English language and assimilate into the American way of life. She made several trips back to her home in Germany, and through the years, many family members came to the states to visit her.
    On May 28, 1960, Margaret was united in marriage to Philip Thiner at Brewster, Minnesota. They made their home at Fostoria, Iowa and became members of the Fostoria Methodist Church. The couple was blessed with four children: Helen, Eugene, Sara, and Mike. Along with caring for her growing family, Margaret worked at Berkley's in Spirit Lake, Iowa. She was later employed at Wonder Whip, located right in Fostoria, where she retired after 25 years of service.
    When time allowed, Margaret enjoyed knitting and baking, and found bike riding to be relaxing exercise. Being the cook she was, she also made pizzas for Cenex, but truly enjoyed entertaining most of all. "Oma's Coffee Shop" was a place where all were welcome, any hour, day or night. The neighborhood kids all knew where they could get cookies and candy, and everybody who knew her called her "Oma". Margaret derived a lot of pleasure watching her children grow up, and especially enjoyed seeing them bring their own children back to the place where they themselves were raised.
    In 2013, Margaret moved to the Assisted Living facility in Hartley, Iowa. She loved the time she spent as a resident there, but in 2016 her health dictated a move, so she relocated to St. Luke Nursing Home in Spencer, Iowa. She spent many happy hours there as well, making lots of new friends. On Saturday, June 24, 2017, Margaret passed from this life at the age of 85.
    Preceding her in death were her grandmother; her parents; her husband, Philip; and many loving family members and friends.
    Left to cherish her memory are her children: Helen Kuehl of Hartley, Iowa, Eugene (Rhonda) Thiner of Graettinger, Iowa, Sara (Jeff) Wennerstrom of Fox Lake, Illinois, and Mike (Lisa) Thiner of Fostoria, Iowa; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many relatives and life-long friends, both here and abroad.

Celebration of Life

Margareta "Oma" Thiner
Born ~ March 2, 1932
Died ~ June 24, 2017
Age ~ 85 years    3 months    22 days

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Wednesday, June 28, 2017 ~ 11:00 a.m.
Trinity United Church of Christ
Hartley, Iowa

Officiating ~ Rev. Jeff Filkins
Organist ~ Julie Back

Special Music
Rev. Jeff Filkins
"On Eagle's Wings"
"Amazing Grace"

Songs of Praise
Processional ~ "Auf Wiedersehen, Joana" by Roger Whittaker
Recessional ~ "The Old Rugged Cross"

Honorary Pallbearers ~ Grandchildren
Kody Kuehl    Ryan Thiner    Lexie Kuehl    Megan Thiner
Andrew Thiner    Dillon Thiner    Philip Wennerstrom

Ushers 
Lynwood Mohni  ~  David Rossman

Inurnment 
To be held at a later date.