Jack L. Thisius, 76, of Whitehall died on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, at his home near Whitehall.

Jack was born Sept. 7, 1936, at Carlston Township, Freeborn County, to Wilbert and Agnes (Kumlien) Thisius. He was raised on a farm in Minnesota and later served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957. He worked in Minnesota as an insurance agent. He moved full-time to Montana in 2005.

He definitely loved being in the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. One of his favorite past times was gopher hunting in the Ruby Valley. Jack also enjoyed woodworking and many people were recipients of his work. He did the majority of the finishing work on his and Jean’s home in Montana and had also done the majority of the work on his home near Hayward.

He was an active member of the local American Legion in Whitehall. He maintained his membership in the Albert Lea Eagles.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Tim, and sister-in-law, Ethel Thisius.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Thisius; children, Pamela Ikard and David Thisius; stepchildren, Karin Shelton and Charles (Marilyn) Buus; five grandchildren; brother, Bill (Clara) Thisius; sisters, Wendy Stenzel and Carol (Kenneth) Chirpich; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to the Wounded Warriors Project.

The Minnesota memorial service for Jack will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hayward Lutheran Church in Hayward.

Jack’s ashes are being inurned at the Freeborn Cemetery. K&L Mortuaries & Crematory of Whitehall assisted with arrangements.