Max Edward Thiede

Max Edward Thiede “Standing Elk”, 90, of Grand Rapids, MI, died Wednesday evening, January 26th, 2011 at the Mid-Michigan Medical Centre in Midland, MI. He was born, January 13th, 1921 in Grand Rapids, MI and was the son of the late Joseph Edward & Edna Fransis (Luke) Thiede. He was a descendant of Swan Creek Band of Chippewa Indians. Max was an Elder of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. He proudly served and defended his country for four years as a Tech Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. He had served as a reserve deputy with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department for ten years. He retired from the transportation industry after seventy years as a semi-driver & broker. Max was a very generous man, who loved hunting and the great outdoors, and also enjoyed playing golf. He was a member of the American Legion Post #47 in Comstock Park. Max is survived by his loving wife of fifty-four years Betty Jane (Glowacki) Thiede; three sons, Michael “Mike” (Shirley) Thiede, William “Bill” (Linda) Parish, and Mark Edward (Stephanie) Thiede; nine grandchildren, and ten plus great-grandchildren; a cousin, Gloria (Robert) King; and special family friends, Gene (Diane) England and Phil (Amy) Gerke. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Reyers North Valley Chapel. Burial will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the Kent County Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Salvation Army with envelopes provided at the funeral home.