Cover photo for Matthew Thoennes's Obituary
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Matthew Thoennes

August 23, 1918 — June 13, 2020

Matthew Thoennes

Matthew J. Thoennes, age 101, of Millerville, died on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by family under the care of Hospice of Douglas County.

A visitation will be on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m., concluding at 6:30 p.m., with parish prayers and Knights of Columbus Rosary at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Millerville with limited seating due to COVID-19, Fr. Peter VanderWeyst officiating. Music is provided by his niece and family, Molly and Jeff Lipke and Logan, Madison and Paige. The service will be broadcast from the parking lot on FM Radio 105.3. Interment will take place at the church cemetery with full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and Inspiration Peak American Legion Post #527.

Matthew John was born on August 23, 1918, to Mathias and Mathilda (Drewniak) Thoennes in Leaf Valley Township. He was baptized and confirmed in the catholic faith. He attended country school and following his education, he farmed with his father, and a local farmer in the area and Red River Valley area. Matthew was drafted into the United States Army during the second World War and spent three and a half years serving his country. He served both in India and Burma and when the war was over, given an honorable discharge as Sergeant. He was united in marriage to Corine Bettin on November 22, 1949, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Millerville.  Following their marriage, they farmed together in the Urbank area. In 1995, they built a new home and moved to the Millerville area and Lake Aaron. He took great pride in his lawn and mowed until the age of 95. Upon his retirement, he took up woodworking and built countless pieces of fine furniture. He also became an avid reader and loved card playing at the senior center. Matthew was a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post #527, since 1984, and the Knights of Columbus as the oldest member of the council. Matthew was a devoted husband and father and his family always came first.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, John and Cecilia Bettin; sisters, Dolores (Henry) Chermak, Bernice (Henry) Kalina, and Audrey (George) Wilson; brothers, Norman (Ann) Thoennes, Lewis (Cyrilla) Thoennes and Christopher (Darlene) Thoennes; and brother-in-law, Ron Bettin and sister-in-law, Anita Bettin.

Matthew is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Corine; 11 children, Peggy (Joe) Grecula of Millerville, Don (Carol) Thoennes of Brandon, Dave (Elaine) Thoennes of Alexandria, Pat (Gwen) Thoennes of Millerville, Fran (Diane) Thoennes of Garfield, Marianne (Gene) Burdick of Fridley, Sharon (Dave) Ditch of Pelican Rapids, Fred (Kim) Thoennes, Julie (Gavin) Ahlbrecht both of Alexandria, Paul (Carmen) Thoennes of Millerville and Kristie (Glen) Noyes of Underwood; 32 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred (Don) Bitzan of Brandon and Naomi Rodgers of St. Cloud; five sisters-in-law, Erma Bettin of Alexandria, Lucille (George) Courrier of St. Cloud, Florence (Dave) Hvezda, Kathy (Gary) Thoennes and Marge Bettin all of Alexandria; two brothers-in-law, Clarence Bettin of Millerville and Harold (Marlene) Bettin of Alexandria; along with many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Jamie Suchy, Jason Thoennes, Rick Thoennes, Kevin Larson, Dustin Ditch, Matt Thoennes, Alexander Ahlbrecht, Jon Thoennes and Shaun Grecula.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Matthew Thoennes, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services - Alexandria

1623 10th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Parish Prayers

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Starts at 6:30 pm (Central time)

Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services - Alexandria

1623 10th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Our Lady of Seven Dolors Church - Millerville

16921 County Rd 7 NW, Brandon, MN 56315

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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