Thieszen, Marie J. Epp (1908-1994)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1994 Mar 10 p. 15

Birth date: 1908 Apr 30

Text of obituary:

MARIE J. THIESZEN

Marie J. Thieszen was born April 30, 1908, at Henderson, Neb., to John F. and Katherine (Bergen) Epp. She died Jan. 24, 1994, at Henderson. She was 85.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith and received into Bethesda Mennonite Church on June 1, 1925, by her father, pastor John F. Epp. She and Daniel Thieszen were married May 26, 1927, by Abraham W. Friesen.

Marie taught children's Sunday school with her husband for more than 15 years. Later they taught children in midweek Bible classes. This was an important and meaningful experience in her life. She participated in Mission Circle I and served on the sewing committee. She sang with the Melody Singers. She was an active member of the Hospital Auxiliary.

She and her husband volunteered at Swan Lake Christian Camp, where she was camp cook. They also volunteered to assist in the construction of First Mennonite Church, Phoenix, Ariz., where she served as cook for the volunteers builders.

Their children are Harold and his wife, Esther, of Elkhart, Ind.; Carl and his wife, Louise, of North Newton, Kan.; Aldon and his wife, Erna, of Holdrege, Neb.; Rosella Schwartz and her husband, John, of Marion, S.D.; Edna Galle and her husband, Karmie, of Lawrence, Kan.; and Marvin and his wife, Shirley, of Lakin, Kan. There are 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

These descendants all remember her special ways of cooking, especially her chocolate cinnamon rolls. She worked as a cook in the restaurant and the Henderson Hospital and Nursing Home. She enjoyed quilting and crocheting. The children and grandchildren were given quilts and afghans.

In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, she is survived by two brothers, Herman J. Epp and Jacob J. Epp, both of Henderson; and a foster sister, Tina Dick of Henderson. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, two sisters and two brothers.