Thiessen, David J. (1910-1967)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1967 Mar 10 p. 19

Birth date: 1910 May 23

text of obituary:

DAVID J. THIESSEN

David J. Thiessen, pastor of the Mennonite Brethren Church at Arnaud, Manitoba, was suddenly called home to be with his Lord on Friday, February 3.

He was born in the Ukraine on May 23, 1910, and reached the age of 56 years, 8 months, and 11 days at the time of his passing. He came to Canada in 1926, together with his family, and settled at Hochfeldt, Manitoba. At the age of 19 he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. Following this he enrolled at the Winkler Bible School graduating in 1935. It was during his attendance at the Winkler Bible School that he was baptized and received into the fellowship of the MB church at Winkler.

In 1936 he was united in marriage to Mary Voth. This union was blessed with seven sons and seven daughters. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel in 1951 and in 1961 he accepted the pastorate of the Arnaud Mennonite Brethren Church, where he served until the day he was called home. Although his life was beset with many trials and hardships, his constant faith and trust in the Lord were a continued source of inspiration to his family.

Left to mourn his early passing are his wife; seven sons, Rudy (and wife, Susan), Winnipeg, Ben (and wife, Erna), Dauphin, Waldo, Waterloo, Ontario, Henry, Dan, John and Werner, all of Arnaud; seven daughters, Louise (Mrs. Walter Derksen), Alexander, Manitoba, Margaret (Mrs. Peter Klassen), Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Helen, Winnipeg, Elfrieda, Eva, Irma and Viola, all of Arnaud; nine grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Katherine Voth, Winnipeg; five brothers, Henry Voth, Winnipeg, Herman Voth, Herbert, Sask., Jake Voth, Alexander, Nick Voth, Winnipeg, and Fred Voth of Ottawa; six sisters, Catherine, (Mrs. Rudy Pauls), Purvis, Manitoba, Helen (Mrs.Corny Pauls), Manitou, Manitoba, Katy (Mrs. John Janzen), Winnipeg, Mary (Mr. Irwin Penner) of Arnaud, and Margaret and Anne, both of Winnipeg.