MARY THIESSEN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY THIESSEN On November 25, 2008 at the Charleswood Care Centre, Mary Thiessen, formerly of Poplar Point, Manitoba peacefully completed her pilgrimage and entered into eternal joy. Mary lived a full and wonderful life for 97 years and was predeceased by her beloved husband Nick Thiessen in 1999. Born on June 16, 1911 in Millerowa, Russia, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918 forced her and her family to flee their homeland to Germany and eventually, with her widowed mother Aganetha (Janzen) Dyck immigrated to Canada arriving on October 10, 1927. Mother worked for The Christian Press for four years until the Great Depression set in at which time she took up housekeeping for some of the wealthier families in Winnipeg. A courtship by correspondence evolved into her marriage to Nick Thiessen on June 1, 1935. They settled into a homestead farm in the Baie St. Paul area just west of Winnipeg and within a few years moved to Poplar Point where they began a successful John Deere Dealership. Here mother settled into a wonderful life of raising her family of five. Her love of flowers lead her to become an active participant with Poplar Point Horticultural Society and her strong faith brought her to worship at the Marquette Mennonite Brethren Church. Adversity and tough times were long ago and an ocean away but the vivid memories and hardships she and her family endured provided a solid ground for her unwavering faith. Mother knew that it was God's hand leading her every step along the way. Retirement brought mother to Winnipeg in 1985 where she and Nick would settle into the Westwood area. Mary was a Charter Member of the Westwood Community Church and cherished the fellowship to the very end. After Nick passed away Mother lived independently at Bethel Place on Stafford until 14 months ago. Mary is survived by her four daughters, Margaret (William - deceased) Rempel, Betty (Herman) Rempel, Alice (Vernon) Voth, Agnes (Werner) Koop and by one son Danny (Nicole Desilets) Thiessen; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be held on Monday, December 1 at 11:00 a.m. at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westwood Building Fund, 401 Westwood Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 29, 2008