Thiessen, John M. (1917-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Nov 8 p. 5

Birth date: 1917

text of obituary:

Two Drown in Kansas Lake

Buhler, Kan. — A boating mishap on Kanopolis Lake Oct. 28 claimed the lives of John M. Thiessen, 39, a native of this community, and Robert Riggs, 42, of Hutchinson. Thiessen was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob D. Thiessen of Buhler, who surive [sic] with the widow and a son and daughter.

The two men and their wives with a third man were returning to the dock when their speed boat was capized [sic] by high waves. They hung on to the boat for some time and all but the two husbands eventually made their way to shore. Mr. Thiessen was said to be a good swimmer but was wearing a partial body cast.