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GERHARD THIESSEN
Born: Feb 08, 1926
Date of Passing: Oct 04, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGERHARD THIESSEN October 4th, 2013 peacefully at home, with Susanne, his wife of 61 years by his side. He was the beloved father of three daughters Lori, Katie, Ingrid and one son Vern. Gerhard will also be mourned by his children's spouses Paul Hermary, Tim Watters, Lawrence Baschak and Susie Moloney; his grandchildren Michelle, Chantelle, Landon (Meghan Henaire), Nicole (Chris Watson), Chris, Katie, James, Holly and Michael; as well as two great-grandchildren, Tunde and William. He is survived by a sister, Laura, two sisters-in-law, and many relations living in Germany. Gerhard Thiessen was born on February 8, 1926, in Gnadental, Ukraine the second child and oldest son of Gerhard and Anna Thiessen (nee Block). He lived in Germany after the war, emigrating to Canada in October, 1948. He was baptized in Grunthal, Manitoba in 1950. He married Susanne (nee Thiessen) in Winnipeg on September 27, 1952. He spent most of his work life as a welder and assemblyman for Sullivan, Strong & Scott, where he worked for 25 years. In his retirement he enjoyed volunteering at the Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Shop. Gerhard enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved to drive, and every summer took his family on vacations across Canada in his beloved Volkswagen. Later in life, he and wife Susanne would travel as often as possible to places such as Hawaii, Mexico, California, and all over Europe. An important trip occurred in 1979, when he and Susanne travelled to the USSR to see his relations - the first time he had seen his mother and siblings since before the war. Gerhard was a great storyteller and published several articles and stories. Gerhard's Christian faith was deeply important to him and he was an active member of the First Mennonite Church. He had a great sense of humour, a compassionate heart, and a love for life that was inspiring to his family, friends and all those who met him. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2013 at First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg with viewing prior to the service. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to the Mennonite Central Committee or the Canadian Mental Health Association.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2013
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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Dear Thiessen family, I just wanted to let you know that I was a Sunday School student of Gerhard Thiessen more than 40 yrs ago. I still remember his kindness and the sincerity of his faith. That year he presented our whole class with our own Bibles, one that I still use and has a poem about the value of a Bible in a home inserted by our teacher (Mr. Thiessen) and signed by him. I am thankful for his teaching and care for us, his students. :) - Posted by: Ingrid Esselmont (nee Voss) () on: Oct 10, 2013
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Lieber Werner, es tut uns so so leid, daß dein Vater verstorben ist. Obwohl ich ihn nie persönlich kennen gelernt habe, hatte ich immer durch deine Nähe zu ihm , insbesondere durch unser gemeinsames Werk windmill ein Bild von ihm, von seinem Humor, seinem Wesen... Es ist ein furchtbarer Schlag, wenn der Vater, wenn die Mutter -die immer da waren, auf die Verlass war, die -wie wir insgeheim hoffen, immer da sein werden- von uns gehen. Lieber Werner, als Künstler haben wir die wundervolle Kraft, unsere Eltern und all das, was sie uns gelehrt haben, weiter leben zu lassen. Ob in deinem Stück Zurück nach Berlin , in Windmill oder im schrägen Vogel.... bei jedem Wort, was du schreibst , schreibt jemand durch dich hindurch in unsichtbarer Tinte mit. Lass uns WINDMILL deinem Vater und meinem Freund Hannes, der gerade im Sterben liegt (ein grausamer Krebstod) widmen, im Wissen, das sie weiterleben in und durch uns.... Eine ganz liebe Umarmung. Bis bald, mein Freund. Our deepest condolences to the entire Familie. Winfried und Marga oldenburg Germany the 9th of Oktober 2013 - Posted by: Wrede Winfried and Koop Marga (Werners Freunde, german friends of Vern) on: Oct 09, 2013
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Dear Vern and family I am very sorry for your loss. I remember your dad. He always seemed to have a smile on his face. - Posted by: Katherine Krueger-Petersen (friend ) on: Oct 08, 2013
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I feel very lucky to have spent a little time being warmly hosted by Gerhard and Susanne in their home in Winnipeg, when Vern and I were working on a documentary film together. Yes, I remember the delicious rolls too! Gerhard was warm, kind and so funny, and was clearly thrilled to have his son back at home for a visit. His brilliantly concise "Belt Up" sign in his car, reminding passengers to wear their seatbelts, still puts a smile on my face. All my love and deepest condolences to you Vern, and to Susanne and the entire family. - Posted by: Mieko Ouchi ((Friend of Gerhard's son Vern)) on: Oct 08, 2013
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I am very sorry to hear that your dad has passed away, Vern. It is one of the saddest rites of passage in life, to lose a parent. Reading his obituary, I got the impression he lived his life with great zest and passion, and I hope that comforts you and your family, and leaves you with tender, happy memories. Virginia - Posted by: Virginia Roncetti (Friend of Gerhard's son, Vern.) on: Oct 08, 2013
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While I regret never having met Gerhard he remains vivid in my memory through Vern's short and evocative play Back to Berlin. My deepest condolences to the entire family. - Posted by: Brian Dooley (no relationship but a very good friend of his son, Vern) on: Oct 08, 2013
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Several summers ago I had the great pleasure of meeting Gerhard while working with his son Vern on his Winnipeg production of Bungalow. Vern and I sat around his parent's kitchen table while Gerhard regaled us with stories from his youth, how he met Susanne, how he left Europe following the war on a ship bound for Canada. More stories of his new life here, his work, his passions. And at that point out came the dominoes. He was passionate, it was obvious, about the game, showing us how to SLAM the dominoes down at the exact winning moment. Boy did Vern and I get a lesson from an expert. All the while Susanne had the table laden with the most astounding soups, and rolls. Oh, the rolls. I can see why their marriage survived 61 years. It was the fresh baked rolls she made. As the afternoon progressed, the fabric of the Thiessen family bond became clear to me. And why Vern would write of it in Bungalow, and in so many of his works. Gerhard was a remarkable story-teller, because he lived a remarkable life, giving force and unique guidance to his children and those he loved. Or those that he just merely encountered for an afternoon. - Posted by: Warren Sulatycky and Deirdre Hill (Friend) on: Oct 08, 2013