Thiessen, Maria Bergen (1885-1973)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1973 Dec 14 p. 30

Birth date: 1885 May 5

text of obituary:

MARIA THIESSEN

Maria Thiessen was born on May 5, 1885 in Orloff, the Molotschna colony, in Russia. She accepted Christ while in her teens and was baptized by Rev . Jakob Reimer and joined the Rueckenauer Church.

She married Abram Thiessen. After only eight years of marriage he died of typhoid fever and from that time Mrs. Thiessen has remained a widow. Hard times of revolution and starvation followed, but God took care of Maria and her children. After many hardships they came to Canada in 1948. She lived with her daughter Anna for 22 years in Arnold, B.C.

She was called to be with the Lord early in the morning of October 26. On the evening before she had said to her daughter, "I wish I could go home," and soon thereafter her wish was granted.

The funeral was held in the Arnold Church on October 29. Rev. P.C. Penner and Rev. G. Ratzlaff officiated.

She was predeceased by four children. She leaves to mourn a son, Jacob, of Chilliwack, B.C.; a daughter, Anna, of Clearbrook, B.C.; a daughter, Liese, in Russia; two sons-in law, one daughter-in-law, 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.