ATKINS:  Norman Dave Thiessen, age 85, died December 6, 2019, at St. Luke's Hospital, from an apparent heart attack.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins with Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating.  Interment will be held at St. Stephen's Cemetery, rural Atkins.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday also at the St. Stephens Lutheran Fellowship Hall in Atkins

Norman was born March 1, 1934, near O'Keene, OK, to John and Myrtle Thiessen.  From O'Keene, their family moved to Missouri where his father got hailed out three years in a row, which forced them to move to Iowa in 1942.  He attended country school near Van Horne through 5 ^th grade and then went to Van Horne High School, graduating in 1954.

He then joined the U.S. Air Force where he was in aircraft control.  The last two years of the four years he was sent to Okinawa and to the lower islands of Japan.

On June 20, 1964, he was united in marriage to Margaret Buelow at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Van Horne.  Their lives together were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Kristi and Carol.

He was confirmed into the Lutheran faith in 1966 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Van Horne.

Norman was employed at Iowa Electric for 29 years, retiring in 1996.  The last 23 years were spent at the DAEC Nuclear Plant, Palo.

He and his wife farmed actively near Atkins for many years.  He was a very talented carpenter and woodworker, making furniture for themselves and his two daughters.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret, and his daughters, Kristi (Curtis) Rottman of Atkins, and Carol (Randy) Woodley, of Atkins.  Grandchildren, Rachel and Hannah Woodley and Nathan Rottman.  Also surviving are his brothers, Bill (Jan) Thiessen and Bruce (Charla) Thiessen, his sisters, Wanda (Richard) Mauck, Margaret (George) Fetter and Freda (Steph) Hurlsburt, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Emma and Martha; and one brother, Francis.

He was a member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Atkins.

Norman was a loving husband, father and grandfather who greatly enjoyed his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bell Tower project in care of St. Stephen's Church, Atkins.

Online Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com