Martha Ann Thiesen

THIESEN- Martha Ann Thiesen passed peacefully into the next phase of her eternal life shortly before dawn on Tuesday, November 28th in Jacksonville Florida. She was born Martha Ann Regehr to John and Anna Regehr in Ft. Morgan Colorado on March 8th 1926. Growing up the daughter of a country doctor, Martha aspired to be a nurse enrolling in Tabor College in Hillsborough, Kansas as America entered World War 2. She met and married Arthur Paul Thiesen shortly before he was shipped out to Europe with the Army Air Corps. After the War she joined her husband in occupied Germany where the young couple first set up housekeeping. Following her husband’s military career for 20 years she traveled from there to California, Hawaii, Texas, Alaska, and Massachusetts. Retiring from the Air Force with their four children the couple took the family to Hawaii. Martha continued in her role as a wonderful mother and wife. In 1972 Martha began a new phase of life in the field of personal growth. As an instructor and facilitator she was able to assist many people in changing their lives through teaching peace, communication skills and self-worth. This new work eventually took Martha and her husband to California and traveling around the country finally settling in Florida where the greatest number of grandchildren were being raised. Martha was proud of the tally of household moves she presided over: 42 at last count. Martha was a founding member of the Unity Church for Creative Living in Jacksonville, serving faithfully in that Congregation for over 30 years. She was the director of Shepherd Center of Orange Park and an avid supporter of the Jacksonville Symphony. Martha will be remembered by those whose lives she touched as one who made you feel important.

Martha Thiesen was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, her older brothers Carl and Walter and her younger sister June. She is survived by her Children: Candis Whitney of Fernandina Beach, Linda Reynolds of Orange Park, Douglas Thiesen of Eugene, Oregon and Leonard Thiesen of Jacksonville as well as ten Grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Unity Church for Creative Living at 2777 Race Track Road St. Johns, Florida on December 10th at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations to either

Unity Church for Creative Living 2777 Racetrack Rd. St. Johns, Florida 32259

OR

The Jacksonville Symphony 300 Water St #200 Jacksonville FL 32202 would be greatly appreciated.