PETER J. THIESSEN

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PETER J. THIESSEN On April 1, 2001, Peter J. Thiessen of Winnipeg, formerly of Steinbach, passed away at the age of 76 at the Grace Hospital. He was predeceased by his first wife Louise (Vogt) in 1983; father Peter David, 1970; mother Katharina Janzen, 1979; sister Betty, 1996; brother-in-law Andrew Vogt, 1989; father-in-law Abram A. Vogt, 1968; sisters-in-law, Norma Thiessen, 1984, and Doreen Thiessen, 1997. He is survived by his beloved wife Shirley (Wakely) and his children, Linda and husband Randy Thiessen, Gordon Thiessen and wife Candace Siggs, Bob Thiessen and wife Louise and his step-children, Charlotte and husband Ken Berg, Charles and wife Natalie Wakely, Cliff and wife Trish Wakely, Richard Wakely and friend Val Allard and Jim and wife Donna Wakely. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Nina, Julia, Emily, Sarah, Paul, Drew, Matthew, Bradley, Laurel, Ken, Laura, Michelle, Jeannine, David and Jennifer. He adored all of his children, their spouses and grandchildren and was interested in their activities and achievements and this usually meant financial rewards along with words of encouragement from Grandpa. He leaves behind his sister Mary and husband Mike Brelis and brothers, Henry and wife Li, John and wife Doris, Walter and wife Hildegard and Ed and sisters-in-law, Margaret and husband Jake Kroeker and Hanna and husband Abe Rempel and Jean Vogt and many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed sending birthday, anniversary and other cards to people that were important to him. Peter was born near Steinbach on January 30, 1925 and had been an insurance broker for 40 years. His retirement years were very enjoyable, especially travel by car to the west coast to visit family, friends and acquaintances of years gone by. His wife and best friend, Shirley, was always at his side. Family, relatives and friends were important to him. Peter was a member of the First Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, had served on Church Council and was a Boys League leader. He had served on many boards, committees and organizations over the years: Town of Steinbach Councillor, Winnipeg United Way, Mennonite Genealogy, Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba, Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, Life Underwriters Association, Winnipeg C.L.U. Chapter, Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba. He was a long time member of the Progressive Conservative Party and a Provincial candidate in 1959 and 1962. He was a past executive director of the P.C. party, as well as Past President of the Conservative Club of Greater Winnipeg. Peter served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. He was a charter and Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Steinbach Branch No. 190 and served two two-year terms as President and 36 years as their Service Officer. He served the Royal Canadian Legion as Zone 45 Commander, District 4 Chairman and Commander. He was awarded the Legions highest award in 1971, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Palm Leaf to the Meritorious Service Medal in 1984 and the Royal Canadian Legion 50 year Gold Membership medal in 1995. As well as numerous other awards over the years, he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal by the Hon. Jake Epp in January 1993. Interment and Royal Canadian Legion funeral tribute will be held at Brookside Cemetery on Friday, April 6 at 11:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service at First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Ave. at 1:00 p.m. The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Grace Hospital for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mennonite Genealogy Inc., Box 393, Winnipeg, R3C 2H6 or Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home Foundation, 1045 Concordia Ave., Winnipeg, R2K 3S7 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Klassen Funeral Chapel.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2001