Thesman, Jacob J. (1892-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 May 23 p. 11

Birth date: 1892 Aug 21

text of obituary:

JACOB J. THESMAN

Jacob J. Thesman was born at York, Neb. to Henry and Sara (Janzen) Thesman on Aug. 21, 1892 and died on April 4, 1974 at the age of 81.

When he was two years old his family moved to Butler County, Kansas, residing there about nine years. In 1903 they came to the Kremlin, Okla. community and he attended school at Columbia, District No. 17. In 1909 the family relocated, moving near Breckinridge, Okla.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior in January 1909 during revival meetings held by Rev. Frank J. Wiens in the old First Mennonite Brethren Church at North Enid, Okla. He was baptized on April 9, 1909 by Rev. Martin M. Just and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church north of Enid. He has remained a faithful member of the church. A lover of music, he especially enjoyed singing in the Men's Glee Club for many years.

He was married to Anna E. Voth on Dec. 19, 1915 by Rev. Gerhard Voth, uncle of the bride. A year after their wedding, in August 1916, they located at their present home eight miles north of Enid where they shared life's joys, sorrows, and blessings for more than 58 years. They also shared in their spiritual pilgrimage, having accept Christ during the same revival meetings and having been baptized on the same day. Mr. Thesman was preceded in death by four sisters and three brothers. Those remaining to cherish his memory are: two daughters, Mrs. Abe (Gladys) Toews and Mrs. Calvin (Bertha Ann) Toews, both of Enid, with their husbands; three sons, Herbert V. of Topeka, Kan., Ruben V. and Jacob V., both of Kremlin, Okla., and their wives; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and one sister, Mrs. H. A. (Katherine) Hiebert of San Jose, Calif. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 8, in the Enid Mennonite Brethren church with Rev. Lynford J. Becker officiating. — The Family.