Helen Louise Louise White Thiessen

August 2, 1919 – August 27, 2014

Louise (White) Thiessen passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2014 with her loving family by her side. Louise was born August 2, 1919 at Rockwell City, Iowa, second of seven daughters of Orrin and Edith (Kenworthy) White. Louise’s life began at a farm in Iowa where she attended a one room school-house from primary through eighth grade, Fort Dodge High School and Junior College. In 1939 she was teaching school in the same one room schoolhouse.

In 1942 Louise moved to California to assist in the war effort by working at Douglas Aircraft. It was in California that she met the love of her life, Ernest H. Thiessen. They were married on November 20, 1942 and spent 64 happy years together until Ernie’s passing in 2006.

Louise demonstrated early in life her commitment to family and the community as President of the Girls’ 4-H Club, then President of the County Teacher’s Association. She taught Sunday school and cooked for the Mothers and Daughters banquet and the Fathers and Sons banquet at the Christian Church. She served on church, community center, and art center building committees and was President of the Camarillo Art Club for six years. Louise joined the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1965 and has six Revolutionary War ancestors. She also helped Ernie in his aerospace business D’Velco where at one time they had a part in every plane and missile in the sky.

Louise published 11 books, made quilts, dolls, Christmas stockings and painted 100 oil and watercolors a year as gifts. Her marriage, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends were the most important parts of her life.

Louise is survived by her five children Judy, Jim, Orrin, Donald, and Gary; eighteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Louise is also survived by her sisters Orrine Chute and Jo Ann Stahl, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Louise is predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Ernie, and four sisters: Roberta (Bobby) Jean White, Pat Newbrough, Betty Meyer and Maxine Wilcox.

Arrangements under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home.