Obituary: Tara Thumb

Tara Thumb

Sheyenne, N.D.

Tara Beth Thumb, age 43, of Sheyenne, N.D., passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D.

Visitation was Thursday, April 20 from 5-7 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 6:40 p.m. followed by a Vigil Service at 7 p.m., all at St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, N.D. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10 a.m., also at St. John's Catholic Church in New Rockford, N.D. Burial was held at the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, in New Rockford, N.D.

Pallbearers were Wilder Storm, Kye Freidt and Camden, Gavin and Jaxyn Rieger. Honorary pallbearers were the cafeteria staff at the NR-S Public School. Father Reese Weber and Deacon Bart Salazar officiated. Special music provided by Annette Hovey and choir.

Tara Beth, daughter of David and Karen (Hager) Rieger, was born on July 5, 1979 at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, N.D. Tara grew up in Sheyenne, N.D. with her two siblings, Bryan and Dana. She graduated from Sheyenne Public School in 1997.

Tara met her husband, Elvis Thumb Jr., in 1995. The two exchanged wedding vows on June 11, 1999. Together they had five strong and beautiful daughters, Shantel, Shayla, Alyssa, Trysta and Cambree.

Tara loved being a mother. Having five daughters was something she and Elvis were very proud of. They gracefully cared for them and raised them to be strong and independent. Tara loved having at-home spa days and watching Hallmark movies with them. In the summer you could find them all on the porch, enjoying each other's company as hummingbirds flew all around. In 2021, Tara became a grandmother to a grandson, Wilder. She loved watching him grow and was quick to spoil him, like the best grandmas do.

Once all of Tara's daughters were in school she began working at the New Rockford-Sheyenne Public School in the cafeteria. Tara loved this job and often talked about the new friends she had made. She appreciated the continuous love and support she received from them.

Tara's battle with cancer was short. Even on the hardest days she remained positive and made future plans, like taking another trip to her favorite place, Las Vegas. She never wanted anyone to worry about her and did her best to continue to provide hopeful comfort to those around her.

Our hearts break as our wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend has passed on. We feel blessed to have a beautiful guardian Angel. We will continue to feel her presence and see her among the hummingbirds.

Tara's loving family includes her husband, Elvis Thumb Jr.; five daughters, Shantel (Troy) Storm, Shayla (Sam) Thumb, Alyssa Thumb, Trysta Thumb, and Cambree Thumb; grandson, Wilder Storm; parents, David and Karen Rieger; siblings, Bryan (Tara) Rieger and Dana (Sam) Rieger; nephews, Camden, Gavin, Jaxyn, Kye, Joseph Jr., Jermiah, Jaden and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Romaldus and Beatrice Hager, Ed and Gen Anderson, Pete and Marie Rieger; mother-in-law, Karen Peterson; uncles, Danny Hager and Harvey Solberg; aunts, Sandy Wolters and Norma Nye.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford, N.D.