Obituary of Friederike D. Thor

Friederike D. Thor (77) resident of Harrison Flats area, died May 5, 2016 at her home while under Hospice Care. She was born May 7, 1938 to Norbert and Maria (Kovalt) Beier in Oppeln, Germany. She and her family were displaced during WW II and she never had a constant home to grow up in as the family was trying to avoid the invading Russian Army. In 1946, the family settled in Keilberg, Germany. She attended school in Aschaffenburg, Germany thru the 5th grade. She went on to finish her education when she was 15 years old. As a young girl, Friederike moved to Switzerland to work as a translator for a local machine factory. In the early 1950’s, Friederike lived in Sweden and worked for Tetra Pak, which invented the tri-open milk cartons. She returned to Germany in 1958. Friederike married Keith Thor in 1958 and they made their home in Hanau, Germany spending their time traveling throughout Europe and enjoying her passion for dancing. They moved to the United States in 1964, with their daughter Petra, to Ft. Lewis, WA where Keith was in the Army. Ultimately they made their home in Milton, WA , near Tacoma. Friederike was a housewife raising her three children, and later her 4 grandchildren. She loved cooking and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They retired to their Harrison Flats home in 2009. Friederike is survived by her husband Keith. She is also survived by daughter and son-in-law Petra and Craig Miller of Seattle, WA, Claudette Thor of Austin, TX and Natalie Thor of Tacoma, WA. She had 4 grandchildren, 2 step-great grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by sister Ulrike Kempel. Services may be planned for later this Summer at a date and time to be announced.