Ethan B. Thies, 21, of Sterling, died on Friday morning, January 26, 2024, as a result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born on September 13, 2002, in Lincoln to Terry and Brenda (Forke) Thies. Ethan graduated from Sterling High School with the Class of 2021 and will be remembered for his silly/goofy personality, but always having a smile.  He was working for Pickrell Locker at the time of his death.  Ethan liked fishing and attending auctions with his grandpa and uncle, going to car races with his cousin, and having bonfires and hanging out with friends.  He loved being an uncle to Raylee and beamed when she called him “Yia-Yia.”  He also grew to love attending wrestling events with his sister, brother-in-law, and niece.  Ethan enjoyed gaming, shooting hoops, and watching the Packers and Chicago Bulls.    

Survivors include his parents, Terry and Brenda Thies; sister, Abigail (Skylar) Sterns; niece, Raylee Sterns; grandparents, Leroy and Leta Forke; uncles, Normand (Shirlene) Thies, Claude “Cotton” Hubbard, Lawrence (Sheila) Thies, Mike Thies, Danny (Kathy) Thies, Mark Hier, and Jason Forke; aunt, Becky Forke; many cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Berdine Thies; aunts, Catherine Hier, Diane Hubbard and Lola Thies; cousin, Les Hubbard.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Sterling Community Center with Pastor Doyle Karst officiating. Interment will be at the Sterling Cemetery. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M. on Friday at the Sterling Community Center. Visitation will be at the Zink-Fox Funeral Home on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from noon until 8:00 P.M.  The family will meet and greet friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family’s choice.   www.foxfuneralhome.net   Arrangements entrusted to Zink-Fox Funeral Home of Sterling.