Maria "Marion" Thiessen

Marion Thiessen was born in Burwalde, Manitoba on July 22, 1927 to Peter and Lena von Riesen. Her parents had immigrated to Canada from Orenburg, Russia a year earlier, with three children, Peter, Helen and Agatha, and began farming.

Marion spent the first 15 years of her life growing up in this small Mennonite farming community. A brother, Johnny, and sister, Betty, were added to the family. As well as Godly teaching in the home, church life was an important part of Marion's faith journey. When she was 13 years old, she attended evangelistic meetings and prayed to receive Jesus as her Saviour.

In October 1942, Marion's family moved from Manitoba to Yarrow, BC, and continued farming. They attended the growing Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1945, Marion attended the MB Bible School for one term, and was baptized in 1948.

Marion met her sweetheart, Dick Thiessen, in 1948, through the church in Yarrow. They were married on June 19, 1949, at the Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church.

They began their married life in Vancouver, attending the Vancouver MB Church. Dick worked as a truck driver delivering lumber for the next seven years, while Marion became a homemaker and mother. Two sons were soon born, Allen and Eric. In 1956, they moved to Vancouver Island, living in the small growing community of Black Creek. Here they joined the Black Creek MB Church. Dick worked for a lumberyard, and drove the local school bus. In 1963, a baby girl was added to the family, when Valerie was born.

At the end of 1966, Dick and Marion moved with their family to Clearbrook, where Dick began working at Peacock Rug and Draperies. Marion was a homemaker and seamstress, sewing many drapes for the company. They joined the membership at Bakerview MB Church. After five years in Clearbrook, they moved to Kamloops in 1971, where Dick worked in the rug, drapery, and ceramic tile business. Marion was busy with her home and part time work in sales. Together they started a Christian Bookstore “The Real Thing”. They became involved in helping the newly formed MB Valleyview Bible Church. After five years in Kamloops, they returned to live in Clearbrook in 1976, and attended the Bakerview MB Church. Marion had a silk flower shop in Cedar Park Shopping Center. They spent a two year missions term in Indonesia as managers and hosts of a missionary guesthouse, from 1978 - 1980.

Dick and Marion enjoyed working, traveling, church life and their growing family. Marion enjoyed bowling with her friends for a number of years. She served in many ways through her church and in the community, including hosting Bible Studies and working in food service at the church. She served for many years at the MCC Thrift Store, sorting and pricing items, as well as selling at the annual MCC Relief Sale. Marion volunteered at the Clearbrook Golden Age Society for 15 years, baking buns for the lunches.

Her husband, Dick, passed away on July 31, 2017. In May 2018, Marion moved to Tabor Court. She always had a puzzle in process on the table and especially enjoyed puzzling with her friend, Stella.

Marion loved and prayed for her family, and enjoyed many get togethers, where she could observe the busy growing families of her children. Marion's faith in God was strong and consistent. She used her gifts of hospitality, generosity and service in many ways. A desire to serve God was an example to her children and grandchildren, and a spiritual heritage is handed down to her family. Daily Bible reading and prayer together with Dick were a very important part of starting and ending each day.

Some of Marion's favourite Bible passages are found in John 14:1-6, I John 3:1, and Psalm 121. Two of her favourite hymns are Amazing Grace and The Lord is my Shepherd.

Predeceased by parents, husband Dick (2017), brothers Peter and John, sisters Helen and Agatha. Survived by sons Allen (Herta), Eric (Vange), daughter Valerie (David), 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, sister Betty, brothers and sisters in laws, many nieces