Thiessen, Esie Ens (1930-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Oct 4 p. 28

Birth date: 1930 Jul 16

text of obituary:

ELSIE THIESSEN

Elsie Thiessen passed away Aug. 8. She was born July 16, 1930 in Hague, Sask. An energetic member of a family of 4, she was active in home, school and church. She committed her life to Christ at a young age. Health problems prevented athletic involvement, but she was a vocal cheerleader. She enjoyed poetry, art and dramatic presentations, and did well academically. Her mother suffered from a weak heart and Elsie, the youngest, was often placed with relatives. When home, she cleaned the house and entertained her mother on the pump organ. The organ was a source of strength to Elsie emotionally and physically. When Elsie was 16, her mother died. She committed herself to baptism and joined Waldheim (Sask.) MB Church. She attended Bethany Bible School in Hepburn, Sask. and college in Winnipeg, making good friends. She volunteered working with the mentally challenged and later went back and forth from Saskatchewan to Ontario to work and reside with siblings. She married David Thiessen, whom she met in church activities in St. Catharines, Ont. Her children and grandchildren were her joy. She delighted in serving in the church and camp kitchens, and hosted relatives and friends on their farm. In 1985-87 they went as missionaries to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Dave taught and she worked in a school library. An intestinal tumour was found and removed in 1998, and multiple myleoma was diagnosed in June 2002. The funeral was Aug. 12 in Grantham MB Church, st. Catharines, with John Wiebe ministering.