Susie (Peters) Thiessen

            Susie Thiessen passed away suddenly after a short illness at Health Sciences Centre, in Winnipeg, Man., at age 89. God granted her dearest wish to be with Himself and Peter for Christmas.

            She leaves to mourn her passing her children, Mary Ann (Terry) Smith, Beverly (Leonard) Funk, daughter-in-law Debbie Thiessen, Jerry (Sherry) Thiessen, Randy Thiessen, Karen (Ken) Nicholls, and Laura McLeod; 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; Jonathan Smith; Derek Custer; Pierre, Patricia, Chantel Thiessen; Alex (Colleen), Ashley (Curtis), Riley, Lucas, Lexi; Kass Nicholls; Kenneth McLeod, Huxley; Tessa (Paul); Laurie McLeod, Bailey, Brooklyn; as well as many extended family and friends.

            Mom was the youngest girl with five older sisters and three younger brothers: Mary (Jake) Klassen; Helen (Dave) Doell; Betty (Jim) Aimoe; Kate (Peter) Klassen; Eva (George) Giesbrecht; Peter (Helen) Peters; Jake (Mary) Peters; and Bill (Betty) Peters.

            She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Peter and son Larry; two grandchildren, Darrell and Desiree; as well as by numerous siblings and in-laws.

            Susie was born on Sept. 29, 1930, in Aberdeen, Sask., to Peter and Helena Peters. The family moved to Swan Plain, Sask., to homestead. When her Dad passed away in 1937, it became impossible to keep the homestead. The family was moved to Chortitz, Man. She and her sisters hoed beets and picked potatoes in the U.S. before she worked in Manitoba as a housekeeper. Then she met the love of her life, Peter, and they were married on July 20, 1952. They had 66 years together. Their honeymoon consisted of driving from their wedding reception to Brandon North, Dad's place of work with the CNR.

            Dad's work with the CNR saw them move around Manitoba, but they finally settled by farming in the Mayfeld area. Mom chose to stay home to raise her children. Mom took on much responsibility for the farm and her children while Dad was away with the CNR and on various jobs. She always had a large garden. After most of the children had left home, Mom worked in home care for 15 years, which she loved.

            She served God in various other ways, cooking at camp, working at MCC, and church cleaning. She was known for her hospitality, and the joke was that when she saw company turn onto their farm driveway, she could wash the floor and make a meal by the time they were at the door. She brought chicken noodle soup, her stand-by, to sick people. She enjoyed making confetti cake, which Pastor Colin appreciated. Her favourite restaurant in Winnipeg was Joey's Only because of the fish. She enjoyed travelling north during Spring Break to see Terry and Mary Ann in Creighton, Sask., with a van filled with grandchildren and food for a week. She enjoyed fishing in northern Saskatchewan.     

            She truly believed that "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). She gave of herself to all around her, and we can only imagine her joy in the presence of the Lord her God. 

            In lieu of flowers, donations in Susie's memory may be made to Valley View Bible Camp, Box 430, MacGregor, MB R0H 0R0 or to Buhler Eye Care Centre, 99 Cornish Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1A2

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