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Benedict 'Ben' Thier
BENEDICT "BEN" R. THIER
Dyersville
Benedict "Ben" R. Thier, 57, of Dyersville, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at home surrounded by his family following a courageous but brief battle with cancer. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave. SW, Dyersville. Visitation will continue from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.
Ben was born Sept. 3, 1959, in Dubuque, the son of Arthur and Catherine (White) Thier. He graduated from Beckman High School with the Class of 1977 and from Loras College in 1981. He married Krista Taylor on June 20, 1998, in Dyersville. Together with his brother, Dennis Thier, and his nephews, Chad and Tony Thier, they continued to operate BARD Materials, a company their father and grandfather co-founded in 1946, (originally known as Dyersville Ready Mix). Ben's career with Bard Materials lasted 35 years. He was currently vice president of finance.
Ben was an avid baseball player and fan, having been on the original Ghost Players team at the Field of Dreams. He continued to share his passion as he coached Little League in Dyersville. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1734, the Dyersville Lions Club and a member of the St. Francis Xavier Basilica finance committee.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Krista, three children, Brent, Olivia and Thomas "T.J.," all at home; siblings, Dennis (Diane) Thier and Carol (Dr. Earl) Goerdt, all of Dyersville; his mother-in-law, Lois Taylor of Dyersville; a sister-in-law, Tina Taylor, also of Dyersville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Charles Taylor.
Memorials are preferred to St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Xavier Grade School or Beckman Catholic High School.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.
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