Thomas Lee Thiele Sr. “Pops”, 69, of Jefferson, SD, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2019, surrounded by family, at a Sioux City hospital after a valiant battle with cancer.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be held from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm on November 29, 2019 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be dedicated to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center.

Thomas was born November 25,  1949 in Sioux City, Iowa, the eldest son of Alvin (Big Al) and Patricia “Pat” (Thompson) Thiele.  Thomas grew up in Sioux City graduating from Central High School in 1968 and attended Wetmar College in Le Mars, Iowa.  He was actively involved in scouting, receiving his Eagle Scout in 1965.

Thomas married the love if his life Jerri A. Uhl on September 9, 1970, and together they raised three sons.  He worked diligently for over 50 years, retiring in 2016. Thomas worked at various businesses in the Siouxland area throughout those 50 years. The majority, 25 plus years, he was employed with National Roofing Company.

Thomas was an avid outdoorsman.  He loved camping, hunting, and fishing, sharing his love of fishing with countless children and friends.  His passion for the outdoors kindled a flame in his boys that burns unfettered today.  His other hobbies included woodworking and photography.  He loved camping with his family and spent many hours telling lies around a campfire and even more hours in his boat coming up with them.  He was a devoted family man and a friend’s friend that will be sorely missed by all that had the honor to come in contact with him.

Survivors include his loving wife, Jerri of Jefferson, SD; three sons, Thomas (Gwyn) Thiele Jr. of Rapid City SD, Troy (Alissa Nelson) Thiele of Harpers Ferry WV, and Travis (Lindsey) Thiele of Minot ND; four brothers  and sisters, Lana Runge of Sioux City, Tanna (John Walters) Theeler of Sioux City, Trudy Smith of Sioux City, and Tracy (Carla) Thiele of Harrisburg SD; and five grandchildren, Karen (James) Linn, Thomas Thiele, Sierra Thiele, Tayler Thiele, Jordynn Thiele, and Mason Nelson.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Big Al and Pat; his brother, Terry; and his granddaughter, Cheyenne.