NATALIE THIESSEN (LESKE)

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NATALIE THIESSEN (nee LESKE) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Natalie Thiessen. Mom died peacefully on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at Misericordia Personal Care Home, which had been her home for the past seven months. She is survived by her husband, John Thiessen, of Cottonwood Personal Care Home in Kelowna, BC, three children; Monika Carlson (Ralph) of Mission, BC, John (Norma) of Altona, Manitoba, Klaus (Colleen) of Oakbank, Manitoba and six grandchildren; Jason Bedrich (Sandra), Marni Bedrich, Laura and Julia Thiessen, Michael and Stephanie Thiessen and one great-grandchild; Adam Bedrich. She is also survived by two nieces in Canada; Gertrude Vogl (Michael) and Jean Balske (Dietmar), siblings; Paul Leske and Amalie Niedrich of Germany and numerous nieces and nephews in Germany. Mom was born in Alt Borowatz, Posnan, Poland on August 28, 1921 into a large, warm and happy German family. After the war she met and married John Thieseen. Following the birth of Monika, the family moved to Paraguay with the extended Thiessen family. After several years and the birth of John, they returned to Germany to reconnect with her family and to prepare for the birth of Klaus. The family settled in Winnipeg in 1954. Mom enjoyed her family, and made a home for them on Edison and Kingsford in North Kildonan. Life wasn't always easy for her, but she possessed a significant inner strength and demonstrated a positive spirit. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren, and maintained a strong connection to her siblings, nieces and nephews in Germany. In 1980 Mom and Dad moved to Westbank, BC and spent 26 years in their retirement home overlooking the lake. They beautified the yard and found pleasure in their flowers and Ponderosa Pines. After Dad's hospitalization in July 2006, Mom came to spend time with her sons in Manitoba, and was soon hospitalized in Concordia, until entering the Misericordia Personal Care Home in December. A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. at Klassen Funeral Home, 1897 Henderson Hwy., followed by a reception. Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 28, 2007