Walter Edward Thessen

Walter Edward Thessen, 86, of Jefferson City, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017, at his home. He was born May 2, 1931, in Taos, the son of the late William Stephen Sr. and Walburga Mary (Borgmeyer) Thessen. Walter served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was united in marriage on August 4, 1956, in Bonnots Mill to Dorothy Evelyn Kliethermes, who survives at the home. Walter worked as a dairy farmer, and as a carpenter for various construction companies including Elmer Stockman Construction, Otke Construction, and Gordon Realty. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. He enjoyed farming, gardening, tending to his cattle, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Thessen, Wardsville; nine children, Karen (Dan) Kleiner, Columbia; Arlene Branum, Fredericktown, Mo.; Victoria (Bill) Mclean, Raeford, N.C.; Annie (Chip) Servis, Phoenix, Ariz.; Barbara (Danny) Fennewald, Austin, Texas; Don (Jill) Thessen, Kansas City, Mo.; Daniel (Bonnie) Thessen, Warrensburg, Mo.; James Thessen, Austin, Texas; Jeff Thessen, Austin, Texas; 21 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two siblings, William Thessen Jr., Taos, Mo.; Margaret Kliethermes, Loose Creek, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Kelly Thessen; one brother, James Thessen; one sister, Albertha Thessen; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Joann Thessen, Alvin Kliethermes, Clifford Kliethermes, Oscar Kliethermes and his wife Eva "Maggie" Kliethermes, Elsie Kliethermes LeCuru and Urban LeCuru, Laurine Kliethermes Heet, Shirley Kliethermes Prenger and Leslie Jaegers. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with the Rev. I.C. Medina officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.