Thiessen, David Abram (1881-1977)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Jan 06 p. 22

Birth date: 1881 Oct 10

text of obituary:

DAVID ABRAM THIESSEN

David A. Thiessen was born on October 10, 1881 in Gnadenfeld, south russia, the son of Abram and anna (nee Nickel) Thiessen. At the age of 17, he began his as 20 he became aware of his lost spiritual state after hearing Jacob Reimer of Rueckenau preach from Hosea 14:1·5. He accepted Jesus, was baptized in Lichtfelde and joined the Alliance Church there. Helena Goertzen became his bride on October 12, 1908. Five children were born to them in Russia, two of whom died as infants. The Thiessen family moved to Canada in 1924. Mr. Thiessen worked as a miller in several Saskatchewan and Manitoba towns, settling finally in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. They moved to Kitchener, Ontario in 1944 where he found work as a carpenter and cabinet-maker. After retirement at age 70 he found many opportunities for creativity in his basement workshop. Just five months short of their 50th wedding anniversary in 1958, his beloved wife died. But the Lord did not permit him to live in lonliness: Anna Toews came into his life and they were married in 1959. After 19 years together, the Lord called him home on November 22 after a stroke. The family remembers Mr. Thiessen as a man of simple dignity, with a strong sense of self-confidence and independence. He was always economical with words: when he had nothing to say, he remained silent; when he spoke his speech was clear and direct. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, Anna; his children, David, Wilhelmina (Mrs. William) Schroeder and Anne of Kitchener and Abe of Waterloo; and many relatives and friends.