Jacob E Thiessen

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JACOB E. THIESSEN

Jacob E. Thiessen, 77, of Blumenort, Manitoba, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 20, 2014, and was pronounced dead at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Jacob was born on February 7, 1937, to Bernhard Thiessen and Judith Enns Thiessen in Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico. Jacob was baptized upon the confession of his faith in July 1958, and, till his last breath lived his life the way he believed God wanted him to.

A theme of migration seemed to describe Jacob’s life. In April 1954 Jacob moved with his parents to British Columbia where the family worked for 7 months prior to returning to Mexico. Handsome young 21 year-old Jacob married spirited,18 year-old Margaretha Wolfe on July 29, 1958; they would have celebrated 58 years of marriage together in a few days. Jacob and Margaret formally retained their Canadian Citizenship in 1961, making it possible for the numerous moves and family trips back and forth between Mexico and Canada over the next decade.

In 1967, due to a drought in Mexico, Jacob and Margaret moved their growing family temporarily near Rosenort Manitoba where Jacob was employed at a local garage in Riverside. Once conditions seem to improve in Mexico they moved the family back to Mexico in October 1968 to resume farming. However, opportunities to thrive in agriculture did not prove profitable. This resulted in a permanent move as they sold all their possessions in Mexico and returned to reside in Canada in April 1971. The moves continued in Canada. They initially lived in Altona, Manitoba, where Jacob worked in a grain elevator. In early 1972 the family moved to Morris, Manitoba, where he worked at Western Flyer and in October 1972 employment opportunities created another move to Stratton, Ontario, where Jacob and Margaret found a community amongst other Mexican Mennonites residing there. In February 1977 the family moved back to Manitoba, this time near the community of Blumenort, and in 1987 moved into the town of Blumenort where Jacob resided with Margaret until his death less than a week ago. Prior to retirement Jacob enjoyed his final working years as a caregiver to a man living with disabilities, and also as a home care provider to elderly men.

Jacob was a quiet spiritual leader of the family. He ensured that devotions, scriptures and prayer were a part of the family’s meals, and encouraged his family not to “let the sun go down on your wrath” thereby encouraging each one of us to deal with the misgivings of the day so as to lay our heads down each night with peace knowing we would be ready for God’s call. Jacob and Margaret valued reading the Bible daily using Our Daily Bread as a guide. They had nearly completed reading the Bible in its entirety four times before Jacob died.

Caring for the family both physically and spiritually was of utmost importance to Jacob. Throughout life’s journeys together Jacob and Margaret were blessed with two girls and nine boys. Sadly, they learned early what it was to grieve in this world. Jacob was predeceased in 1960 by their son Jacob who died shortly after his birth in Mexico. In 1973 their oldest daughter Judy, 11, died of leukaemia and was buried in Stratton. Five years later, in 1978, Isaac,14, died of leukaemia and was buried in Blumenort. Having to provide for the family’s needs left little time to grieve as Jacob continued to work and provide for the family.

Jacob is also predeceased by his brother Abram and sister Sarah. He is survived by four sisters and six brothers. He is also survived by his wife Margaret, sons John (Anna), Peter (Emily), Franz (Pearl U), David (Monica), daughter Paulina (Garry), sons Erwin (Pearl R), Dan (Sherry) and Bernhard. He is also survived and loved dearly by six granddaughters and six grandsons, and one grandson through marriage.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Drive, Steinbach, MB. There will also be a time of viewing at the church prior to the service.

Funeral service will be held Friday, July 25, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Blumenort Evangelical Mennonite Church, Blumenort, MB, with burial to follow at the church cemetery.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Jacob may be made to Eagle Lake Bible Camp.

Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Jul 23, 2014