Thiessen, Bernard John (1920-2015)

Mennonite World Review obituary: 2015 Jul 20 p. 21

Birth date: 1920 May 22

Text of obituary:

Mision worker helped establish church in Japan

Mennonite Mission Network

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Bernard John Thiessen, known for his caring spirit over more than three decades in Japan, where he helped lay the foundation for the Mennonite church, died May 7. He was 94.

Thiessen and his wife, Ruby, served 33 years beginning in Kobe, Japan, from 1952 with the General Conference Mennonite Church's Commission on Overseas Mission, a predecessor of Mennonite Mission Network.

The Thiessens were among the first group of mission workers sent by the agency to develop churches. They held language and Bible study meetings and gatherings among their neighbors. These efforts led to Japanese Mennonite Christians and some of the first Mennonite churches in Japan.

Belva Unruh, who served in Japan from 1952 to 1965, said that she and her husband, Verney, would often enjoy meeting with the Thiessens during gatherings for Japan mission workers.

"When I think of Bernard, it's hard not to think of Ruby, too," Unruh said. "They were always very gracious hosts to the Japanese people and the missionaries as well."

Unruh said mission work in Japan was challenging because the close-knit Japanese society could be as cautious of strangers as they were "gracious and wonderful to us." Thiessen spent much time learning and understanding Japanese culture and would share insights with other missionaries.

Thiessen was born May 22, 1920, in Newton, Kan. He attended Hesston Academy and Whitewater High School before graduating from Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Neb., and Goshen (Ind.) College.

After retiring in 1985, the Thiessens settled in Henderson, Neb., for 24 years, becoming members of Bethesda Mennonite Church. In 2008 they moved to Greenville to live closer to their children and grandchildren.

Thiessen is survived by his wife, Ruby; three children, Beth Schmidt of Greenville, Royce Thiessen of Morristown, Tenn., and Ron Thiessen of Weatherford, Okla.; a sister, Lydia Klaassen of Mount Hope; seven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

A memorial service was held May 27 in South Carolina.