Jean Thatcher Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jean Thatcher, age 93, of Storm Lake formally of Bode, died on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 3:30 PM at St. Olaf Cemetery in Bode. Jean Etta (Saathoff) Thatcher, the daughter of John and Etta (Kurth) Saathoff, was born on December 29, 1926 in Coggon, Iowa. Jean was baptized into the Lutheran faith. Growing up, Jean attended grade school and high school. She graduated from Anamosa High School and later attended Business College in Mason City, Iowa. She eventually returned to Bode, Iowa to help her father with his creamery business where she assisted with bottling milk, making cream and butter and other dairy products for the community. Jean was later employed by Bode State Bank. The job Jean enjoyed the most was raising her children. Jean was united in marriage to Charles Thatcher in Fort Dodge, Iowa on August 24, 1950. The couple was blessed with two children, Cherie and Bruce. Some of Jean’s hobbies included reading, walking, decorating and maintaining her home. Above all, Jean loved spending time with her grandchildren and family. She never missed an opportunity to attend their school events, play with them, and read to them. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Charles Thatcher of Bode, Iowa; children, Cherie (Dana) Courter of Storm Lake, Iowa and Bruce Thatcher of Oakland, California who will be unable to attend the service due to health issues; sister, Norma (Harry) Vestweber of Humboldt, Iowa; grandchildren: Ryan Courter of Storm Lake, Iowa and Ethan Courter of Iowa City, Iowa; nieces and nephews: Kay (Dan) Shaw of Rosemont, Minnesota; Karen (Jeff) Davis of Duncombe, Iowa; David (Darcie) Jass of Alden, Iowa; Jane (Tom) Dunning of Alden, Iowa; John (Pam) Jass of Vanwert, Iowa; and extended family and friends. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, John and Etta (Kurth) Saathoff; brothers, Duane and Jackie Saathoff; sister, Doris Jass; brothers-in-law, Bill Jass and Harry Vestweber; sister-in-law, Lois Saathoff; nephews: Dan Shaw, Christopher (Val) Jass, and Mike Jass.

Jean Thatcher

December 29, 1926 - June 30, 2020