Thiessen, Anna Harms (1885-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Nov 11 p. 11

Birth date: 1885 Feb 18

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA THIESSEN

Mrs. Anna (Harms) Thiessen was born to William and Anna (Gossen) Harms on Feb. 18, 1885 at Marion, S. D.

Her early years were spent on the farm near Marion where she attended elementary school. When she was 17 mother moved with her parents to Enid, Okla.

On March 7, 1910 she was united in marriage to Henry B. Theists of Hydro, Okla. To this union were born four daughters.

In her early twenties she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour. In the fall of 1912 she was baptized upon her confession of faith in Christ by Rev. John Roth and received into the Saron Church at Orienta, Okla.

After having gone through several drouth years at Turpin, Okla., our parents decided to move to Oregon in the fall of 1933. While living in Dallas, mother transferred her membership to the Grace Mennonite Church.

In 1946 mother and father moved to Pasadena, Calif. There being no Mennonite church in the area, mother became a member of the Lake Avenue Congregational Church.

She spent much time in reading her Bible and in prayer for the needs of her family, the church and the needy people of the world. She gave much to children's organizations as well as to missions.

In the fall of 1959, mother and father modeled to Glendora, Calif. where she spent much time outdoors working in her flowers.

It was a joy and privilege for the parents to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in June of 1960 with all the children present except Frances who was in Okinawa.

Mother had not been well for some time and in February of this year, due to a malignancy, she began to get weaker and suffer increased pain. On Tuesday morning, Sept. 21, 1965, she slipped into the presence of the Lord, reaching the age of 80 years, seven months and three days.

The memorial service was held at Oakdale Memorial Chapel with Dr. James Henry Hutchins of Lake Avenue Congregational Church officiating.

She is survived by her husband; four daughters, Helen of the home, Lydia (Mrs. Carl Lichti) of Medford, Oregon, Ann (Mrs. Ogden Lenz) of San Leandro, Calif., Frances, recently of Okinawa and now residing at San Jose, Calif., three grandsons and one granddaughter.

Her parents, two brothers, one sister and a son-in-law, Carl Lichti, preceded her in death.

Even though she will be greatly missed, her challenging testimony by life and deed remains an inspiration to us. — The Family.