Henry Thiessen was born on October 20, 1928, to Henry and Sarah (Unger) Thiessen at Jansen, Saskatchewan. He was the third child of 4 children, and he had three sisters, Lydia, Agnes and Anne. He attended school in the Prairie Rose district.
At eleven years of age he committed his life to the Lord, receiving Christ as his Saviour. He was baptized at the age of fifteen and accepted into the membership of the Philadelphia MB Church in Watrous. Throughout his life his deep faith in Christ was his strength.
In the fall of 1948 he and his family moved to a farm in the Plymouth district in the Watrous area. The reason for the move was to be closer to the Philadelphia Church to worship with fellow believers. Henry attended Bible College in Dalmeny and graduated in 1948.
June 1st, 1950, Henry married Edna Schroeder. Following their marriage they farmed with Henry's parents, who lived across the road.
During the winter of 1954-1955 Henry attended the Mennonite Brethren College in Winnipeg, Man. In 1956 he became an ordained pastor and shared the responsibility of preaching and church leadership in the Philadelphia MB Church until they received their first full time pastor.
Although Henry worked very hard on the farm, he loved to spend time with his family, playing ball, watching his boys play hockey and teaching them how to farm. When he and Edna had the opportunity, he loved to travel to Europe to visit relatives.
Henry started a dairy in 1966. In 1998, he and Edna moved to Watrous, and he continued to be involved in the farming operation until his health declined in 2010. In December 2011, he was admitted into the Manitou Lodge and resided there until his passing May 1st.
Left to cherish his memory and life are his loving wife Edna of 62 years and 5 sons, Harvey (Marilyn), Spruce Grove, AB; Bernie (Phyllis), Medicine Hat, AB; John (Vicki), Manitou Beach, SK; David (Patti), Watrous, SK; and Garry (Ruth), Watrous, SK; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Henry was predeceased by his parents Henry and Sarah, sisters Lydia, Agnes, and Anne, as well as his great-grandson Cooper.
Although we will dearly miss Henry, we are thankful he no longer has to suffer, and is now experiencing the truth of his favorite verse,