Thane N. DeLeon, 61

Scottsdale, Arizona (formerly of Blue Earth) – It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Thane Nathan DeLeon, age 61, of Scottsdale, Arizona. Thane died on Feb. 13, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona.

A Memorial will be held at Riverside Town and Country Club in Blue Earth on Nov. 5, 2022 from 11 a.m.-2.p.m. A luncheon will also be served.

Thane was the fourth child of Arnold and Marian (Renkly) DeLeon, born Oct. 19, 1960 in Blue Earth. Thane was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran church. He graduated from Blue Earth High school, where he played tennis and was part of the team that went to the Minnesota State Tennis Tournament and won the State Championship in 1977. After high school he attended Waldorf College and then moved to Phoenix, Arizona. It was there that he became interested in making custom jewelry from his apartment, primarily out of gold and precious stones. After many friends asked him to repair their jewelry and create unique pieces for them, he realized he might have the start of a business.

Thane loved the creative process and found his greatest joy in bringing his clients’ ideas to life. He excelled in designing and making one-of-a-kind pieces. Over the years he has had many items in the Museum of Albuquerque, New Mexico, along with his retail store location in Scottsdale, Arizona.

In May of 1994 he was interviewed by Kathryn Bold of the Los Angeles Times in an article called “Romancing the Stones with Inlay Settings.” Kathryn wrote, “Thane DeLeon uses gemstones the way an artist uses paint. He puts stones together in unusual color combinations to create rings, earrings and pendants that his customers and jewelry store owners consider works of art.” The article also quotes Thane: “I like to think my work is thought-out. It doesn’t just sit there. It has direction, meaning.”

Thane will be remembered above all for his creativity, his kindness, and his infectious laugh. He often said, “Remember me and remember me well!”

Thane is survived by his mother, Marian DeLeon; sister, Julie (Craig) Thompson, of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and brothers, Jay DeLeon, of Mapleton, Guy (Patti) DeLeon, of Red Wing, and Troy (Diane) DeLeon, of Fargo, North Dakota.

He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Stacy (Joe) Rider and sons, Ethan and Brenden; Travis Thompson and sons, Arjen and Anders; Andrea (Kyle Hamilton) Thompson Miller and children, Asher and Ara; Braden Thompson; Brett Thompson; Anton (Chelsea) DeLeon and children, Zoe and Riley; Brianna (Jeremy) Goodrich and children, Katie, Carson, and Milee; Shelby DeLeon; Justin DeLeon and daughter, Lily; Drew (Tawny) DeLeon and daughters, Sophia and Adalyn; Ashton (Jason) Zins and children, Zoe and Edmund; Olivia (fiancé Austin Omer) DeLeon; Anthony (Stephanie) DeLeon and son, Walker; and Madeline DeLeon.

Thane was preceded in death by his grandparents Albert and Alta (Ehrich) Renkly; his father, Arnie DeLeon; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.