Thiessen, Cornelius (1867-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Apr 4 p. 1, 5

Birth date: 1867 Feb 5

text of obituary:

Funeral Services For Aged Minister At Zoar Church, Sunday

REV. COR. THIESSEN OF INMAN DIED WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 27

At Inman Rev. Cor. Thiessen, 79, a minister in the Zoar church 47 years, passed away after a long and severe illness, Wednesday evening, March 27. The funeral held at the Zoar church last Sunday afternoon was largely attended, not only by local relatives and friends but also by many from distant communities. Rev. D. C. Pauls, elder of the congregation, was in charge.

Born in Russia February 5, 1867, Rev. Thiessen came to Kansas during the large immigration in 1874. After living on a farm near Buhler for many years,he moved into the Inman community with his family in 1901. On August 17, 1944, he and his wife had the joy of celebrating their golden wedding.

Surviving as members of his deeply sorrowing family are his wife; four sons, John, Buhler, George and Cornelius, both of Inman, Sam, Hillsboro; 10 daughters, Mrs. J. E. Hildebrand, Reedley, Calif.; Mrs. A. F. Toews, Inman, Mrs. J. E. Plett, Lehigh, Mrs. J. J. Heinrichs and Mrs. Isaac Willems, both of Dinuba, Calif., Kathryn, Hillboro [sic Hillsboro], Amanda, Newton, Martha, Elizabeth and Agatha, of the home; a brother, Aaron, Hutchinson, and a sister, Mrs. . Rempel, in Canada.

His Life and Work

Cornelius Thiessen, son of Gerhard and Helena (Loewen) Thiessen, was born Feb. 5, 1867, in the village of Sparau, South Russia. He lost his mother at the age of four years. He emigrated with his father and his family to America in 1874 when he was seven year sold. They settled near Buhler, Kansas, where he shared the hardships of pioneer life with them. Here is where he was brought up and received his meager education.

In his 17th year he realized his lost condition and received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and on July 13, 1884, was baptized by Elder Jacob Klassen, and was received into the Zoar church of which church he remained a faithful member to his end.

In 1888 he lost his father. In the same year he entered into the bonds of holy matrimony with Agatha Rempel and they established their home near Buhler. To this union three sons and one daughter were born. This union was dissolved on March 27,1893 when his wife died; on July 24, 1893 his youngest son died. Aug. 17, 1894, he was married the second time to Helena Unruh. This union was blessed with 12 children, 2 sons and 10 daughters. One daughter preceded him in death at the age of two years.

On August 22, 1897, he was chosen into the ministry of the gospel and on March 30, 1902, was ordained and in this capacity he proved to be a blessing. In his declining years his physical strength notably gave way when his home was destroyed by fire in 1927. In 1936 he retired from active farming and moved to Inman. On August 16, 1942, he became seriously ill and remained helpless. Although his strength failed him, his mind remained clear to the end. He was blessed with a strong physique and carried on with great courage. The Lord blessed his labors so that he enjoyed a home of his own, where he could rear his large family in the fear of the Lord.

He was a lover of music and took active part in it. It was his privilege to do pioneer work in establishing the church choir. His influence in conference work was cherished by his co-workers and did it conscientiously. Realizing his handicap of a limited education, he did all in his power to further the cause of the Zoar Academy and served its board 17 years as chairman.

He was patient in his three years and seven months of helplessness and was an example of endurance in his suffering. He was grateful for the many visits which encouraged him to carry on. The Word of God always was a comfort to him and on its promises he altogether depended.

Often he expressed his desire to go home and be with the Lord, but he was content in His will. On March 13 hypostetic [sic] pneumonia set in, which brought about his death on March 27, 1946, at 6:40 P. M. He has reached an age of 79 years 1 month and 22 days.

Besides his immediate family, 30 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive.