Henry Thiessen

Obituary

Henry Thiessen passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Menno Home for the Aged, Grunthal, MB., at 85 years of age.

He is survived by his beloved wife Annie, daughter Beverley, son-in-law Emil; two grandchildren: Clarissa (Ted), and Nykolas (Roxy) and seven great-grandchildren: Hayden, Zachary, Josiah, Silas, Anora, Lucy and Elanor; two brothers and one sister; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents John and Aganeta Thiessen, parents-in-law Peter DF and Anna Wiebe; seven brothers and six sisters.

Dad was born on January 7th, 1939 in Roseau River, MB. He always felt it was incredibly special that his birthday fell on Ukrainian Christmas. He was the 14th child added into a large blended family and the love shared was always equal, as full sisters and brothers. Growing up on the farm, he was taught to always be honest, trust Jesus, value family, and to work diligently. He attended school at Planky Plains and often reminisced about the festive school Christmas programs held there and how though the little school would be bursting at the seams, there was always room for one more to come celebrate. As a young man, Dad held a variety of jobs which included plumbing, hauling sugar beets, and helping build arenas in Winnipeg.

Dad met Mom on a double date with friends and they made a connection that led to their marriage in May 1963. They lived in Winnipeg for a short time before moving to the mixed farm at the Wiebe’s, where Dad worked as a hired hand for the next few decades. Henry became a father in 1964 to one daughter, Beverley, who he loved unconditionally. As she grew, he spent many Sunday afternoons playing board games with her. He was a true competitor and always played by the rules as the instructions read. (You can be sure there was no bonus money for landing on “Free Parking” in Monopoly!) He developed a very close relationship with his father-in-law, working alongside him on various farming jobs and tasks. The winters were spent refurbishing antique tractors including an old Massey Steamer. Dad volunteered at the Mennonite Village Museum for many years sawing lumber, making shingles and creating rope by hand. As long as he was able, Dad read his Bible every morning and prayed for his family diligently. His quiet faith stood as a strong example to us all. One of the nurses told us that over his final days they witnessed Dad with his hands, clasped on his chest, eyes closed and mouth moving, as though still praying to his Jesus.

He served as usher in church for many years and also joined a singing group that would visit the elderly in their homes. When the work on the Wiebe farm ended, Dad worked for Reimer Farm Supplies, assembling and delivering equipment to farms. Dad also worked at Grunthal Auction Mart for several years and really enjoyed the variety of people he got to know there, and from the sounds of things, there was rarely a dull moment.

After Dad retired, he still kept very busy with many different tasks and hobbies. He owned a few horses for a time and custom built buggies for them to pull and also did some small engine repairs out of his garage. One of his passions was building or restoring old fashioned toys, cutters, sleighs, wishing wells, windmills and flower planters. He usually had a batch of homemade wine on the go or a sample to share, and he completed several large needle point pictures that hang in the home today.

Dad was all about family. He was eager to be near his family, very interested to know what was happening in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandkids and never wanted to miss a special moment in their lives. Whether it was a birthday, recital or 4H speaking, he was there to cheer them on to success. He was thrilled by each grandchild and great-grandchild he had the pleasure to meet. He was always eager to hold a new baby and never too old to sword fight with nerf weapons or play peek-a-boo.

Dad loved to joke and tease and also had a bit of a dry sense of humour that was quite entertaining. When meeting new people, a common question of “how many children do you have?” would get the response from him of, “I don’t have children, but I have grandchildren” People would look at him perplexed, then with a twinkle in his eye, he would say, “I have one daughter and a son-in-law, and I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but I don’t have children.” Dad used to have an amazing memory and often sang little songs he had learned from the radio in his youth. Doris Day’s song about a young man who was so smitten by a young lady’s kiss, that he got all the words mixed up “I said my pyjamas and put on my prayers.” Or Wilf Carters “Don’t Be Mean to me, I wasn’t Mean to you.” Sadly, Henry’s memory started to fail a few years ago, and it wasn’t something any of us ever expected.

Dad was humble and never thought himself more important than the next person. When questions arose about his health, he wouldn’t ever ask “Why me?,” instead he would state, “Why not me?” We will miss you Dad, but we know you are with Jesus. We say farewell and until we meet again, for we know one day you will greet us at heaven’s gate.

We want to thank those who faithfully visited Dad at the Menno Home. We especially want to thank the Menno Home staff for their tender care of Dad. We couldn’t have asked for better.

The livestreamed funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with viewing one hour prior to the service.

The interment will take place at Stuartburn Sommerfeld Mennonite Cemetery, Stuartburn, MB.

• mySteinbach Jobs
• Steinbach Homes
• Steinbach Real Estate
• Steinbach Jobs
• RSS Feeds
• Get in Touch