25965 477th Avenue Sioux Falls SD
Funeral Mission with Military Honors
March 22 & 23, 2026
South Dakota Veterans’ Cemetery
Sioux Falls, SD
The family of Christopher M. Thesenvitz has requested the Patriot Guard Riders to honor Christopher with flags showing our appreciation, honor and respect for his service to our great Nation. After high school graduation, Christopher completed Basic Military Training for the United States Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base and technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base and Luke Air Force Base. Early in his career, he received the nickname “Taz” from his first flight chief, who jokingly preferred it to pronouncing his last name, a name that stuck and became well known and respected across the flight line.
In March of 2004, Christopher began his military career by joining the South Dakota Air National Guard, 114th Fighter Wing, as a crew chief. Throughout his 21 years of service, Christopher deployed multiple times overseas as well as other in-country locations in support of training and operational missions. He was deeply proud to serve his country and especially valued the Airmen he mentored and led. He was medically retired in October 2025 after 21 years of honorable service.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 23, 2026, at the St. Therese Catholic Church, Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. A Liturgical Wake Service with Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. following the visitation. Committal will be at the South Dakota Veterans’ Cemetery in Sioux Falls. The visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be “Flags Only”.
Stage: 11:30 a.m., Monday, March 23rd at South Dakota Veterans’ Cemetery, 25965 477th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD.
Flags will be provided.
Ride Captain: Randy Ward, A.S.C.
605-359-8719
reward1948@yahoo.com