Donald Dean Thieme

Don Thieme passed
away on February 19,
2023 with family by his
side at the age of 90 in
Salem, Oregon. Don is
survived by his sister
Ruthie; his 4 daughters
Nancy, Denise, Connie,
and Karen; and numerous grandchildren and
great grandchildren. Don
was born on July 29, 1932
to parents Anna and Ernest in Sabetha, KS. Don
started work at a young
age on the family farm
and quickly learned perseverance, surviving such
challenges as The Dust
Bowl. At the age of 18,
Don enlisted in the US
Navy. He attended basic
training in San Diego,
CA and was stationed in
places such as Peral Harbor, HI. After his honorable discharged in 1955, Don moved to Salem, OR
where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Lough.
Don’s charm, quick wit, and magnetic personality
quickly won Dorothy’s heart, and in 1956, they
were married. Together they built a life focused on
family, fun, travel, and rarely experienced a dull
moment. Following his retirement from the Navy,
Don began a career in sheet metal fabrication. As a
metal fabricator, Don demonstrated an exceptional
talent for metal work and engineering. Outside
of his day job, Don could be found tending to
his cherries or in his shop creating one-of-a-kind
masterpieces. Don’s passions included farming,
fishing, NASCAR and a “cold one” (A.K.A. a Coors
Light). People were drawn to Don, as someone
who was never short on words, always quick with
a one liner, and the first to help those around him.
Anyone who knew Don will find comfort in being
able to share their favorite funny Don story. He
was a legend in his own time and will be missed
by all who knew him. A Celebration of life will be
held on Sunday March 19th from 1-4pm at the
Keizer Elks Lodge at 4250 Cherry Ave NE Keizer,
OR. Please coordinate any flower arrangements
with Aunt Tilly’s Flower Barn, 503-588-6586.