Annie Linda Funk Thiessen

Annie’s family and friends are saddened by her sudden and unexpected passing after a long and productive life of grounded faith and dedicated service. She was born in Nicolaifeld, Ukraine, arriving in Canada with her parents and four siblings in 1948. They lived in Manitoba for two years, then settled in Abbotsford, where she lived most of her life.

After Bible College and University, Anne began a life-long career as a well-loved elementary school teacher. She was also very interested in Christian education, and helped to develop Sunday School curriculum in Mennonite churches across North America.

In 1987 she married Henry Thiessen, and inherited an instant loving family, including grandchildren! Family has always been very precious to Anne, and her generosity and sympathetic ear have made her a much loved and significant person in the lives of her expanded circle of nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren.

Anne had a wide range of friends and interests throughout her life. Her teaching colleagues and former students remember her as an effective and caring role model; her nieces and nephews remember her as a doting auntie; her siblings remember her as a wise elder sister; her church friends remember her as a caring mentor with a deep faith. All who knew her remember her as kind, generous, thoughtful, and loving.

Anne was predeceased by husband Henry, sister Herta, and brother Victor. She is lovingly remembered by brother Johann (Vera), sister Valentine (Erwin), sister-in-law Marilyn, nieces Heather, Candace and Elyssa, and nephews Stewart, Jason, Ian and Thor, and by stepdaughters Elaine and Valerie, as well as their extended family members.

It was Anne’s greatest wish to be remembered as a kind sister and a loving aunt. And that she was.