Barbara Thiesen

Barbara A. Thiesen, age 71, of Lawton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 surrounded by family, following her battle with pancreatic cancer. She faced her illness with strength and determination to make the most of her final days by creating memories with family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Moville. The family invites everyone for a light lunch and visiting as Barb always loved to do.

Barb was born September 27, 1954 to Leonard and Gladys (Lindgren) Petersen. Barb was raised in Moville, Iowa and graduated from Woodbury Central High School in 1972. 

Barb married Thomas Thiesen in 1974. They lived in Moville, Sergeant Bluff and in 1977 moved to their acreage in Lawton. They were blessed with three sons and one daughter: Nicholas Thiesen of Sioux City, Nathan Thiesen of Sioux City, Travis (Alyssa) Thiesen of Sioux Falls and Tiffany (Aaron) DeMarest of Lawton. They were also blessed with ten grandchildren: Kilee Albenesius; Kolby, Henry and Conner Thiesen; Ava, Ashlyn, Adalie, Trinity, Declan and Tenley DeMarest. 

After high school Barb started working at Zenith Radio Corp until their closure in 1977. After that, Barb worked temporary, part-time jobs at Simonsen, Terra, Mercy Medical Center, Boyer Valley, Interbake Foods and L & L Builders so she could have more time raising her children. In 1994 she started working at the Iowa Department of Transportation, retiring in 2019. 

Barb enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and attending their many activities. She also loved working outside with gardening and helping with the acreage. She enjoyed hosting holidays and get-togethers with family and friends. Barb’s love was evident in the countless ways she cared for her loved ones. 

She is survived by her husband, Thomas; their children Nicholas, Nathan, Travis (Alyssa) and Tiffany (Aaron); ten grandchildren; brothers, Joe (Deb) Petersen of Moville, IA and Kevin (Stacy) Petersen of Moville, IA. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Diane (Richard) Kluver and her life-long friend, Marsha McGraw.