Thiessen, Aaron (1869-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 May 7 p.6

Birth date: 1869 Mar 5

text of obituary:

. . .

— Aaron Thiessen, pioneer settler in the Buhler-Inman area, died at his home in Hutchinson early Monday at the age of 90. He was born in Russia on March 6 [sic March 5], 1869, and came to this country at the age of five. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at Elliot-Gard Chapel in Hutchinson and the Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. Mr. Thiessen leaves his widow, Mary, two daughters, five sons and a number of grandchildren, including two great-grandchildren.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 May 21 p. 8

text of obituary:

AARON THIESSEN

Aaron Thiessen was born to Gerhard and Helena (Loewen) Thiessen in Russia on March 5, 1869. At the age of four, in 1974 [sic 1874]. he migrated with his parents to America, and settled in Reno County, just outside the city of Buhler, Kan. Here he spent his early childhood and received his elementary schooling.

On Nov. 14, 1890, he entered into holy marriage with Mary Kroeker, to which union were born five sons and two daughters. As a young man father sensed his need of the Saviour, surrendered his life to Christ, and was baptized on Feb. 22, 1908, and received into the fellowship of the Zoar K.M.B. church, Inman, Kansas. Later he transferred his church membership to the Mennonite Brethren Church, Buhler.

A farmer and thresher by trade, father labored diligently on the farms where he resided at different times, first at Buhler, then, at Inman, and then back to Buhler again. In 1941 he retired and the family moved to Hutchinson. Father was always active in the work of the Lord. He was elected to serve as deacon on Jan. 1, 1917, and was ordained to the deaconate [sic] in 1925. He served in this capacity faithfully until his retirement.

His health throughout life was good, with the first serious ailment occurring in 1947. Nearly four years ago, on May 23, 1955, father took sick with apoplexy (stroke), from which he rallied only slightly and remained helpless and dependent upon the members of the family who cared for him faithfully, sacrificially and lovingly until his decease. On Thursday, April 30, 1959, father suffered another serious stroke which caused his death on Monday morning, May 4, 1959.

As a husband and father, he was loving and kind, giving first consideration to the needs and happiness ofhis family. His friendly and cheerful disposition, his happy outlook on life, his courage and zeal for the Lord won him many friends.

Father was called to his heavenly home at a full age of 90 years and two months. Of his immediate family, one daughter-in-law and two grandchildren preceded him in death.

Surviving him are his wife, Mrs. Mary Thiessen of Hutchinson; five sons, George and wife Elizabeth of Hutchinson, Aaron and wife Marie, Inman, Henry and wife Beryl of Sacramento, Calif., Pete and wife Vada of Wichita, Kansas, Ed and wife Myrtle of Kansas City, Kansas; two daughters, Mrs. Gusta Cortner and husband George of Hutchinson, Marie of Hutchinson; 14 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. — The Family.