Peter J Thiessen

Peter J. Thiessen passed into the presence of his heavenly Father on Dec. 8, 2018, at the Portage General Hospital at the age of 87.

He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of 66 years, Susie; his children, Mary Ann (Terry) Smith, Beverly (Leonard) Funk, daughter-in-law Debbie Thiessen, Jerry (Sherry) Thiessen, Randy Thiessen, Karen (Ken) Nicholls, and Laura McLeod; as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Cory (Dana) Thiessen, Ella, Owen and Hazel; Marcie (Jeff) Rudyk, Riley and Joshua; Kristen Funk, Tarryn and Noah; Tracy (Kyle), Sierra, Avery, and Michael; Jon Smith, Derek Custer; Pierre Thiessen; Patricia Thiessen; Chantel Thiessen; Alex (Colleen), Ashley (Curtis), Riley, Lucas, and Lexi; Kass Nicholls( Michael); Kenneth McLeod, Huxley; Tessa McLeod; Laurie McLeod, Bailey, Brooklyn as well as many extended family and friends.

            Dad was born in Gnadenthal, Man., on Sept. 17, 1931, to John and Agatha Thiessen, the second of eight children; his siblings were Tina (Ben Harder), John (Ann Neudorf), Agatha (Cornie Funk), Henry (and Connie), Susie (Elmer Loewen), Ben (Annie Neufeld), and Martha (Henry Thiessen). He was predeceased by his parents, some siblings and in-laws, son Larry, grandson Darrell, and granddaughter Desiree.

His earliest years were spent on a farm in the Winkler area, but he grew up on a farm in the Gladstone area. In 1950 he met the love of his life, Susie Peters, and they were married on July 20, 1952. His early work with the CNR saw them move to various sites, but they finally settled down by farming in the Mayfield area.

When his health concerns made it necessary for them to sell the farm, they moved to Sidney. Dad worked in metal fabricating before opening MacGregor Metals, a business he developed with his sons; he was later delighted to see some of his grandchildren become involved. Dad and Mom later moved to Austin and, when the garden and yard became too much to handle, to Regency House in Portage la Prairie.

            Dad worked at many jobs: from milk delivery man to CNR worker, farmer and welder, in a potato plant, and as a gardener. He always said he was “a jack of all trades and master of none.”

            With Dad there was always time to meet new people and learn new things. He shared his love of the world that God had made, whether by taking a walk, or fishing and hunting, or as in the last few years watching the geese on Crescent Lake in Portage or the crows in the tall evergreens outside his apartment window.

            Another love was peppermints. He always had them in his pocket and would feed them to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to see each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild; he truly believed they were blessings from God.

            Dad loved to work for the Lord. He was one of the founders of Carberry (now Valley View) Bible Camp. He did everything from serving as board chairman to handyman to cook. Dad even went to Mexico to help build a Christian school. He did a lot of the wiring. Dad attended many churches in his lifetime, but one thing always remained and that was love for his heavenly Father.

            Today we know that he can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). 

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