Francis Dean Thavenet

Francis Dean Thavenet Francis (Fritz) Dean Thavenet, age 80, passed away on Wednesday, December 28th, 2016 at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a long battle with lung and heart disease. Fritz is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol (Sorensen), three children: Diana Jones (Russell) of Galivants Ferry SC; Mike Thavenet (Teri) of Eldridge, IA; and Donna Trentman of Tulsa, OK. He leaves behind eight grandchildren: Lindsay Johnson (Heath) of Galivants Ferry, SC, Jordan Artz of Conway, SC, Emily Johnson (Casey) of Easley, SC, Jason Thavenet (Jenny) of Chicago, IL, Adam Thavenet (Kelly) of Eldridge, IA, Kylie Hugi (Alex) of Coralville, IA, Tyler Trentman of Tulsa, OK, and Alexandria Trentman of Owasso, OK., and eight great-grandchildren. Also, he leaves behind many nieces and a nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Emma Thavenet (Putman), his older brother, Orville Thavenet of Hastings, NE, and his sister, Margaret Albers of Grand Island, NE. Fritz was a Veteran and served in the Navy as a machinist stationed out of San Diego, CA. Fritz was born on June 16, 1936 in O'Neill, NE. He was raised in Hastings, and attended Hastings High and gradiated in 1954. Fritz loved Nebraska Cornhuskers Football and attended games, both home and away, for many years. If not at the game, he was recording it on reel-to-reel or VCR. He worked for Berkeley Pump Company (Sta-Rite) for forty years as a machine shop supervisor. He was respected by his fellow workers. Fritz was also an Amateur Radio Operator. His call was WB0MSU. He held this craft to the highest degree of dedication. He was the first form of communication after the tornadoes of 1980 in Grand Island, NE and operated for 48 hours straight. He assisted the Red Cross in their efforts during disasters. After his retirement from Berkeley Pump Company, he moved to Tulsa, OK. and was co-owner of T&T Valet Co. in Tulsa which served Hillcrest, Southcrest and Tulsa Regional Center. The family will not have a formal service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to foundations and organizations of your choice. A special thank you to St. Francis Hospital, Post Acute Care and RoseRock Health Care for your dedication, care and support given to Fritz and his family during his illness.

Tributes

Francis Dean Thavenet

January 18, 2017