Obituary of Richard Thiry

Richard "Dick" Thiry, 76, of Cambridge died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Dick was born to Leo and Lydia (Eng) Thiry on October 15, 1933 in Pine City, Minnesota the seventh of nine children. He grew up on the farm at Pine City, attended and graduated from Pine City High School in 1953 where he was active in football, basketball and baseball. His military duties were in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 and he was stationed in Germany. Dick married his high school sweetheart, Sonja Swanson in 1957 and began his college days the same year and graduated from St. Cloud State in 1962. He taught sixth grade in the Anoka School District for 32 years, retiring in 1994. The family lived in the Coon Rapids area until 1968 when they moved to their present home in rural Cambridge. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Many deer were harvested right on the "Back 40" of their farm. Dick was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church and active in the Knights of Columbus and served many years on the church council. His family was an important part of his life, many hours were spent watching their activities and teaching them about the great outdoors. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Lydia, daughter Kim, brother Leo Jr., sisters Eleanor, Bernice and Alyce Jean. Dick will be greatly missed by his wife Sonja of Cambridge, children Patrick and wife Julie Thiry of Stanchfield, Pamela (Jim) Watson of Cambridge, Peter and wife Julie Thiry of Cambridge, Thomas and wife Marianne Thiry of Stanchfield, 11 grandchildren, three step grandchildren, brothers Robert Thiry of Pine City, Harold and wife Ginny Thiry of Pine City, Gerald and wife Janet Thiry of Hayward, WI., Allen Thiry of Grand Rapids, as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.