James Thiry

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Obituary

James Thiry, 72, of White Lake, SD, died Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at his home in White Lake. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 15, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in White Lake.  Burial will follow in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, October 14, from 5-7 with a 6:30 Scripture Service at St. Peter’s. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

James (Jim) Thiry was born on August 10, 1952, to Albert and Mary (Hettinger) Thiry in Mitchell, SD, the first of 8 children. 

In 1970, Jim graduated from White Lake School and later attended Mitchell Vo-Tech. Soon after, he joined the Navy in September of 1972. 

On August 20, 1971, Jim married Linda Bies and to this union 4 children were born. Although Jim traveled the world, he still found ways to be present, and to provide and care for his family. Jim retired from the Navy in September of 1994 with Rank Senior Chief. Following retirement from the Navy, he worked at the Chamberlain Academy, the training school in Plankinton, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and was a local postal carrier before he completely retired. He was an officer in the White Lake Legion and served as mayor of White Lake for a few years. 

Jim and Linda loved to travel and meet new people. Jim also enjoyed watching the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys, along with hunting and fishing until his health wouldn’t allow him to enjoy those anymore. His true love was for his family.  He was looking forward to becoming a great-grandfather in December.

Jim is survived by this wife, Linda of 53 years; sons, Jeff (Tiffany) Thiry, White Lake, SD and Jason (Natasha) Thiry of Kennebec, SD; daughter, Jessie (Rylan) VanGenderen of Sioux Falls, SD and Jackie (Jason) Davis, Belleville, WI; along with his 9 grandchildren: Breanna (Garrett) Karst, Gunner (Jessica) Thiry, Hanna Thiry, Lyndsey Thiry, Louis Thiry, Nolan VanGenderen, Clayton VanGenderen, Ivan Davis, and Mallory Davis. He is also survived by brothers, Steve (Brenda), Doug (Deb), and Tom (Janice) Thiry; sisters, Marlene (Bruce) Haines, Lori Hauge, Donna (Kim) Swanson, and Karen (Dean) Michaels; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donnie (Rhonda) Bies, Connie (Duane) Deboer, Barb (Larry) Falk, and Tom (Michelle) Bies; and many nieces and nephews.

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