Neil & Anne Thiessen

Neil & Anne Thiessen

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Neil & Anne

Obituary of Neil & Anne Thiessen

Neil and Anne Thiessen of Winnipeg, married for 71 years, passed away together. Dad, age 96, passed on December 6th and Mom, age 94, passed 2 days later on December 8th, 2020. It is with celebration and sorrow that we announce that they both went home to meet their Lord and Saviour.

Left to mourn are their four daughters: Pat Whitehead (Carl), Carol Neufeld (Jim), Arlene Manes, Alison Thiessen (Robert Reimer); ten grandchildren: Jason (Windsong), Lincoln, Stephanie, Sean, Korin Whitehead; Jacquie Andrusiak (Mike), Ryan Neufeld (Carla);  Kimarie Manes;  Dasha and Vanya Reimer; five great-grandchildren: Ashley, Hailey and Katelyn Andrusiak,  Nolan and Cooper Neufeld.

Dad is also survived by two brothers, Ben Thiessen (Mary) and Henry Thiessen (Helen).

They were predeceased by their son-in-law, Craig Manes, in 2001. Dad was also predeceased by his parents, Abram and Maria Thiessen, and 9 siblings (3 sisters, 6 brothers). Mom was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna Funk, and all 5 of her siblings (2 sisters, 3 brothers).

Mom and Dad met at Elim Bible Institute and were married in Altona on October 2, 1949. They moved to Winnipeg a year later where Dad worked as a carpenter. They were avid volunteers at Gospel Mennonite Church and many other Christian and community organizations.  Dad had a passion for helping and serving the underprivileged men at Union Gospel Mission.

Together they proudly raised their 4 daughters, and then later they welcomed 4 sons-in-law, 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren into their family.

Mom loved to bake and cook, and together they hosted many large gatherings.

 In 1981 , they moved to Calgary where construction work was abundant. Dad had gone there earlier to start working, commuting back and forth until  they decided to sell their house and move. Mom transferred from Sears (Polo Park ) to Sears ( Chinook Centre) as a department manager. In 1985, Dad assumed a resident management position in the church's seniors’ block (Glenmore Manor). They loved it there. They would voluntarily host monthly dinners for the senior residents.

At age 70, Dad retired and they moved back to Winnipeg. Initially they moved into an apartment at Armadale Hollows on Pembina Hwy. Later they moved to  Bethel Place. They immediately felt at home there. They appreciated all the friends they made while living at Bethel Place.

Moving back to Winnipeg their volunteering continued. They helped with the Harvest Ministry food bank at Nassau Street Church and the Fort Garry Care Centre.

At age 88, (2013) Dad's declining mobility forced him to move to Pembina Place Mennonite Personal Care Home. Mom faithfully visited Dad and also volunteered there until COVID-19 restrictions disallowed visitors in March 2020. In September 2020, Mom also became a resident at Pembina Place due to declining health. We appreciate all those who cared for and visited our parents in the last number of years.

Life was not always easy but our parents lovingly persevered together and in God's perfect timing they even died together, just 2 days apart.

Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Pembina Place Mennonite Personal Care Home who went above and beyond to care for Mom and Dad. Dad always told us that he had absolutely nothing to complain about, he loved the Care Home staff and they even laughed at all his jokes. They were like family.

In view of COVID-19 regulations, a private family funeral will be held on Friday,  December 18, 2020 at 1:00 PM CST with Pastor Darrel Toews, of Bethel Mennonite Church, officiating. A private family burial will take place at Green Acres Cemetery. Memories of Neil and Anne may be documented on this website as well.

 If friends so desire, donations in Neil & Anne's memory may be made to:

Union Gospel Mission at PO Box 1073, Stn. Main, Winnipeg, mb R3C 2X4 or  Wycliffe Bible Translators Canada at 4316 10th Street NE  Calgary, Alberta  T2E 6K3

Friday
18
December

Funeral Service

1:00 pm
Friday, December 18, 2020
Birchwood Funeral Chapel
162 PTH 52 W
Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
(204) 346-1030

Interment

Green Acres Cemetery
#1 East at, Navin Rd
Wnnipeg, Manitoba, Canada