Giles J. Thissen, 85, entered eternity with Jesus Christ and was reunited with his beloved Pat on July 24, 2023.

Giles was born July 17, 1938, to John R. & Margaret (Gerber) Thissen in Kingman, KS.  He was raised on the family farm with siblings  James, Mary Ann, and Paul.  Giles graduated from Kingman High School and then attended Pratt Community College.  He thoroughly enjoyed planning, organizing, and attending KHS Reunions for the Class of 1956.

On June 6, 1959, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Patricia McHenry at Saint Louis Catholic Church in Waterloo, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on May 22, 2023, and he spent the past nine weeks looking forward to the day he would see her again.  They were married 64 years and shared a passion for their faith and family.  As a lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Giles was involved as an extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, lector, choir member, First Friday devotee, Adoration Chapel devotee, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member, served on the Financial Council, volunteered for many jobs around the parish, and was a constant witness of the faith he lived every day of his life.  He was a kind and gentle man, and an exemplary role model for his children.

In addition to the family farm, Giles always had employment in Kingman.  Through the years, he worked for Don Dye Co., Safeway Food Stores, Dixon's LLC, and Neville Welding Inc.  He was a member of the National Guard from 1956 through 1968.   In his later years, he served on the Kingman Council for Aging.

Left to cherish Giles' memory are daughter Joyce Lies (Brian) and their children, Bradley, Jennifer Goering (Brad), and Jerrod; son John (Kelli) and their children, Chelsi Myer (Mitch) and Camron (Karenah);  and son Joseph (Ji) and their children, Raleigh and Camellia; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Judy Thissen, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Giles was preceded in death by his wife, parents, siblings, sister-in-law Harlean Thissen, brother-in-law Jerry Utter, and infant great-grandchildren Lydia Myer and Ryker Goering.

Attending auctions, working in his woodshop, and fishing were favorite past-times of Giles, as well as traveling to share in his grandchildren's activities.  He was also an avid photographer in his younger years.

Parish and Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kingman on Sunday, July 30, at 5:30 p.m.   Mass of Christian Burial will also be held at St. Patrick Church beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 31.   Friends may call 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Livingston Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Giles' memory to St. Patrick Catholic Grade School or The W Place at Meadowlark care facility in Kingman, both in care of Livingston Funeral Home, 1830 N. Main, Kingman.