Joan K. Thayer

Joan Thayer, age 81 of Odebolt, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove. Joan Katherine Frey was born on August 4, 1943, in Ida Grove to parents William (Bill) and Florence (McFarland) Frey. She grew up in Odebolt and was a member of the United Methodist Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She attended school in Odebolt and graduated from high school in 1961.
After high school, Joan attended Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines. She worked as a nurse for a short time in Des Moines before returning home to work at Horn Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed the opportunity to help get cardiac services up and going there. Joan then followed her love for flowers and floral design working as a florist at Veits Floral in Odebolt and later Marjo Floral & Greenhouse in Sac City.
On October 4, 1964, Joan married her high school sweetheart, Richard Thayer, at the United Methodist Church in Odebolt. They were blessed with two daughters, Kristie and Kathy. They raised their family on a farm just outside of Odebolt. Joan had flower gardens galore and enjoyed bringing rocks from different special places to place in her flower beds. The family always had animals, as Joan was someone who adored them. She never turned down a stray or an animal in need of care. She was especially fond of her cats and Licorice the poodle.
Joan was a crafty person who liked to keep busy by making things. She loved watercolor and ceramic painting and always decorated for every season and holiday. She made amazing spritz cookies every Christmas. She was an avid reader, loved to go on walks, and enjoyed riding bikes with Richard. She was never afraid to try to fix something and in her eyes, there was nothing that couldn't be fixed with either wood filler, WD40, or duct tape.
Spending time with her family was always at the top of her list, and when the girls were growing up, they spent many hours with their grandparents and other family members. Family time meant the world to her and that continued as the girls grew up and had families of their own. Joan was always sure to be active in all of their lives. Her family has owned a cabin in Okoboji since 1919 and throughout her lifetime has enjoyed spending time at the lake. Joan loved it at the lake and everyone in her family will forever hold special memories in their hearts of time spent there with her and other beloved family members.
Church was important to Joan. She was a very active member who served her church in so many ways over the years. She was a Sunday school teacher, a member of women's circle, MYF youth group leader, and was a member of the Tri-Ms. She helped with upkeep of the church and was of course one of its main decorators, the Hunter's lunch being one of her favorites to decorate for. She and Richard really enjoyed Tuesday night Bible Study at church as well.
Joan participated in league bowling at one time and loved hosting and attending CCC Club with her area neighbor ladies when living on the farm. She and Richard moved to town in 2022. On October 4th of this year, they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with family.
Joan was a very strong and determined woman which was never more evident than when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in January 2010, that took years of recovery to gain her strength and ability back. She was a loving, giving, and very caring special lady who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her husband of sixty years, Richard Thayer of Odebolt, IA; daughters Kristie (Steve) Spotts of Sac City, IA, and Kathy (Corie) Erickson of Humboldt, IA; grandchildren Stephanie (Mike) Ozinga of Ames, IA, Ryan (Blair) Spotts of Altoona, IA, and Lauren Erickson of Ames, IA; great-grandchildren: Jaelynn and Breckynn Ozinga, and Anna and Noah Spotts; sister Judy Hemphill of Odebolt, IA; brother-in-law Roger (Ginny) Thayer of Lake View, IA; several nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Florence Frey; parents-in-law Bernie and Marjorie Thayer; and brother-in-law Butch Hemphill.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS the family will be donating monetary donations to the United Methodist Church as well as the Odebolt Fire Department in Joan's memory.