Thiessen, Jacob J. (1906-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 May 03 p. 29

Birth date: 1906 August 23

text of obituary:

REV. JACOB J. THIESSEN

Jacob J. Thiessen was born in Winkler, Manitoba, on August 23, 1905, to Jacob W. and Helena (Siemens) Thiessen. At his birth he was blind in the right eye, and at the age of four he injured his left eye through an accident while at play. Some vision in his left eye was saved through surgery at this time.

In the early 1950's, he underwent rather intensive eye examinations and the specialists established that his right eye was really quite perfect-except for the opaque cornea, the outer covering of the eye. They told him that this must have happened after he was born, probably at the time of the delivery. Thus his formative years were rather difficult, but he learned to cope with his handicap, as his family and friends well know.

Shortly after Jacob's birth, the family moved to Greenfarm, a rural area south of Herbert, Saskatchewan. He accepted Christ as Saviour and at the age of 17 was baptized and received into the Greenfarm Mennonite Brethren Church. Over the years his faith and trust in God became steadfast and virtually unmoveable.

After completing his elementary education in the Greenfarm school he learned the Braille method of reading and writing, and began learning to type. While attending the C.N.I.B. Training Institute in Winnipeg, 1929·31, he took typing, reed work, and basketry.

In the mid 1940's, he took grades ten to twelve by correspondence. Before that, he graduated from the Herbert Bible School and then took additional classes at the Bethany Bible Institute and the Winkler Bible Institute. In 1940·41 he took a special course at the Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta.

In July, 1940, he married Helen Goertzen of Herbert, Saskatchewan, a union that was blessed with three sons.

In the late 1930's and 1940's he was active in the work of the Western Children's Mission as board member and then field director for Southern Saskatchewan.

In 1941 the Greenfarm church called him to become their pastor, a post he held for 19 years. He was ordained to the ministry by Rev. H. S. Voth. For 12 years he taught part·time in the Herbert Bible School in addition to his pastoral duties.

From 1962·67 he pastored the church in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan, and after that the Elim Mennonite Brethren Church at Kelstern, Saskatchewan from 1967·73. He retired to Swift Current in July, 1973. His death came on March 28, 1974 at age 68.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, and three sons: Samuel James, Victor Paul, and Jonathan Wayne, as well as two daughters·in·law. Also surviving are two brothers, four sisters, and many relatives and friends.

The funeral was held March 31 in the Mennonite Brethren Church of Swift Current with Pastor Peter Nikkel officiating.