DuWayn Thygeson
DuWayn “Thyge” Thygeson, 90 of Thief River Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls with his loving family by his side.
The service to Celebrate DuWayn’s life will be 11:00 AM Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Mark Helgeland officiating.
Visitation will be held 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls and one hour prior to the service at Zion Lutheran Church.
DuWayn Thygeson was born June 11, 1931 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Hollis and Ida (Curtiss) Thygeson. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Thief Lake and attended country school.
As a young man, DuWayn contracted polio and had to spend 3 months at Gillette Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, with his own strength he rehabbed himself and was able to help on the family farm. It is at this time he purchased his first accordion and self-taught himself by ear. This was a life-long passion which continued to his later years with the Smokey Mountain Boys.
In 1955, DuWayn went to Alaska where he worked on the Alaska Highway, keeping all of his paychecks to start his own business on his return to Minnesota in 1959.
On July 26, 1959 DuWayn was united in marriage to Wenda Elaine Czeh. The couple owned and operated Thygeson Construction Company which he proudly worked at until the day of his passing. They were proud parents of Mark, Mike, Bryan, Bruce and Monty. In 2002, DuWayn was united in marriage to Karen (Svensgaard) Fredrickson they continued to live in Thief River Falls where they shared a home with their grandson, Dalton Fredrickson. DuWayn’s favorite pastime other than work was going to Las
DuWayn’s favorite pastime other than work was going to Las Vegas with family and friends, staying at the El Cortez Hotel from 1979-2021 where he spent his 90th birthday party with all of his family and friends.
Survivors include his sons, Mike Thygeson of Thief River Falls, MN, Bryan (Kathy) Thygeson of Dilworth, MN, Bruce (Kelly) Thygeson of Thief River Falls, MN, Monty (Jan) Thygeson of Thief River Falls, MN; daughter-in-law, Roxanne Thygeson; grandchildren, Jessica (Roy) Larson, Brandon (Autum) Thygeson, Kevin Thygeson, Matthew (Rachel) Thygeson, Mark (Taylor) Thygeson Jr., Ashton Thygeson, Marshall Jesme, Hannah Waswick, Lee Ann Schmidt, Hollis Thygeson, Annie Engelstad, Ben (Brianna) Engelstad, Shay (Taylor) Engelstad; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings, Sharon (Dean) DeOgny and Vernon Thygeson; and many other relatives and friends
DuWayn is preceded in death by his first wife, Wenda in 1999 and second wife, Karen in 2020; son, Mark in 2021; and daughter-in-law, Bonnie in 2015; sister, Gayl (Clayton) Blom in 2019; brother-in-law, Clayton Blom in 1999.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com