Thiesen, Julie Ann (1963-1973)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 19 Jul 1973 p. 8

Birth date: 1963 Mar 7

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 13 Sep p. 11

text of obituary:

JULIE ANN THIESEN

Julie Ann Thiesen was born on March 7, 1963 in Redfield Memorial Hospital, Redfield, S. D. She died as a result of a farm tractor accident on July 14 at the farm home six miles north and five miles west of Doland, S. D. She attained the age of 10 years.

The accident occurred when the oldest brother was unable to start the Farmall tractor with the hay stacker attached in front. The little Ford Tractor was hooked in front of the big tractor with a chain to start it. When the big tractor had started, her brother asked her to throw the Ford tractor in reverse to loosen the chain. Her foot slipped off the clutch and the tractor backed with force into the stacker, hitting her on the right side. She must have died instantly. She had been operating the tractor successfully before.

Julie Ann had just finished the 4th grade in the Doland Elementary School six weeks earlier. She loved horses as well as playing her clarinet, playing with the neighbor girls, and doing housework. She was a constant companion of her grandmother, who lives in a trailer house near the Thiesen home. She was a member of a 4-H club and attended Sunday school.

Funeral services were held on July 17 in the Doland United Methodist Church with Rev. Alvin Crandall officiating. She was lais to rest by the side of her grandfather, Johannes Jansen, in the Doland Cemetery.

She is survived by her parents, Kenneth and Linda Thiesen; three brothers, Kenneth Jr., David and Danny; her grandmother, Mrs. Annette Jansen, and her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan S. Thiesen of rural Newton, Kan.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28) was the funeral text used by Rev. Crandall.