Doris Thierer Danker

TRAER-Doris Ann Thierer Danker, 86, of Traer, died peacefully Saturday, December 9, 2023 at her home due to a sudden illness. Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Traer with Pastor Benjamin Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Buckingham Cemetery in rural Traer. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday from 10-11 AM at the St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Doris was born on December 4, 1937, in Nevada, Iowa, the daughter of Harold and Thelma (Thorson) Alsager.

The first of three children, Doris graduated from Radcliffe High School in 1955 and attended Iowa State Teachers College, receiving her two-year teaching certificate. She started her career at the Traer School, teaching first grade from 1957-1959, and returned to UNI and received her BA degree in June 1960.

On June 26, 1960, she was united in marriage to Dale William Thierer of Traer, Iowa, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Radcliffe, Iowa.

Returning to her love of educating young minds, Doris taught first grade at the Geneseo School from 1960-1962, then substituted for several years resuming full-time teaching in 1978 for the North Tama School system-first in Clutier for two years and then in the Traer center. Doris retired from teaching at North Tama in June of 1999.

In between all her years of education, Doris was also part owner with her friend, Jean Kruse, in the Prissy Hen retail store in Traer, from 1976-1979.

An active member of St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Traer, Doris served as a Sunday School teacher, director of the cherub and junior choirs, sang in the Senior Choir, and was involved in the women’s group. Never one to slow down, Doris was also active in American Home, Iowana Club, and P.E.O. Chapter EC, holding many offices in these organizations.

On August 15, 1992, she married William “Bill” Danker of Traer.

Following her retirement from teaching, Doris was able to pursue her many loves of travel, playing cards, golfing, seeing close friends, attending plays and concerts, and reading-but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family; especially her grandchildren and most recently, great-grandchildren.

She is survived and lovingly remembered by her sons, Dirk (Diane) Thierer of Des Moines, IA, Donn (Nancy Pratt) Thierer of Golden Valley, MN, and Darin (Jackie) Thierer of Cedar Rapids, IA; seven grandchildren, Nicholas, Andrew (Zannie), Stephanie, Jack, Charlie, Gavin, and Hannah; and two great-grandchildren, Noah and Quinn. She is survived by a sister, Kathryn Bulten of Radcliffe, IA; a sister-in-law, Barbara Alsager of Omaha, NE; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Dennis Alsager; her husbands, Dale Thierer in 1987 and Bill Danker in 1997; and a brother-in-law, Larry Bulten.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Traer.