Joann Catherine Thessen

Joann Catherine Thessen, 84, of Taos, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital. She was born September 3, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late John and Veronica "Fronie" (Frank) Iven. She was a 1950 graduate of St. Peter High School. She was united in marriage on May 3, 1952, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City to William John "Bill" Thessen. Joann spent most of her life as a farm wife, homemaker, and caregiver. She assisted her husband, Bill, on the family farm and helped to raise nine children. She also had worked for Woolworth's Dime Store, State Farm Insurance, and the Missouri Conservation Commission. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos where she helped as a weekly collections counter and was a member of the parish prayer line. Joann volunteered at the Hospice Resell Shop, and as an election voter poll worker. She enjoyed quilting and sewing, gardening, playing cards, and traveling. Joann is survived by her husband, Bill Thessen, Taos; nine children, Linda (Steve) Distler, Taos; Kathy (Tony) Rackers, Taos; Cindy (Bill) Cravens, Fulton; John (Bev) Thessen, Taos; Nancy (Denny) Crocker, New Bloomfield; Mike (Susie) Thessen, Dardenne Prairie, Mo.; Greg (Joanne) Thessen, Indianola, Iowa; Paul (Shelie) Thessen, Dardenne Prairie, MO; Stanley (Angie) Thessen, Taos; 25 grandchildren, Eric (Julie) Distler, Kim (Joe) Plassmeyer, Cara (Josh) Sandbothe, Kyle Distler (fiancée Lauren Whitlock), Scott Rackers, Adam Rackers, Luke (Tonya) Rackers, Jeremy (Jen) Cravens, Ryan Cravens, Betsy Cravens, Kristin (Matt) Scheppers, Jacob Thessen, Andrew Crocker, Malorie Crocker, Emma Thessen, Andy Thessen, Ben Thessen, Katie Thessen, Sam Thessen, Jack Thessen, Will Thessen, Lucas Thessen, Addie Thessen, Sophie Thessen, Maggie Thessen; 11 great-grandchildren with two more expected this fall; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Walter and Dorothy Thessen, Wardsville; Margaret Kliethermes, Loose Creek; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Judy Iven; brother-in-law, Alvin Kliethermes; and a step-father, Hershel Jenkins. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos with a prayer service at 3 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, August 24, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos with the Rev. Gregory C. Meystrik officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Masses; or to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 7319 Route M, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.