Obituary of Leonard Thiessen

THIESSEN – Leonard of Swift Current, SK, passed away peacefully September 23, 2008 at the Cypress Regional Hospital with his beloved family at his side at the age of 81. Leonard was born on the family farm near Neidpath, SK on December 27, 1926 to Abram and Maria Thiessen. As a young teenage man, Leonard left home and worked for thrashing crews in Alberta and returned to Morse, SK to truck fuel for the Imperial Oil Agency operated by Cecil Bestrop. During that period of time, he met his soon to be bride, Anita Dombrowsky of Neidpath, SK. After they were wed, he became a grain buyer for Pioneer Grain in Calderbank, McMahon and Osler, SK. They were blessed with four children and with that, Leonard and Anita returned home to begin a farming career and purchased the farm from his father in 1965 and continued to farm actively until the Spring of this year. He was known for his love of the land, and his ability to provide for his family doing what he truly enjoyed. Leonard could always be found fixing and repairing on the machinery, this was another satisfying job for him, not to mention cleaning every rock pile on his land to create his own man-made dam. Friends and family will have fond memories of sitting around the wiener roast pit enjoying good conversation and good food. Nothing like a hotdog cooked over an open fire, Leonard would say. Leonard is survived by his loving wife Anita (12 days short of 56 years); children Lois (Dave) Jones, Ron (Bev Becker) Thiessen, Robert (Jacolyn) Thiessen and Barry (Stacey) Thiessen; grandchildren Tania (Scott) Johnson, Lindsay (Jeff) Kluthe, Jennifer (Scott) Stevens and Blake Thiessen; great grandchild Taylor Johnson; siblings Leona Mayer, Peter (Lillian) Thiessen, Tina Thiessen, Norman (Iliene) Thiessen, Eleanor (Norman) Goertzen; sister in-law Lory Dombrowsky and Marlyn (Leander) Buhr and many numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Leonard is predeceased by his parents Abram and Marie Thiessen; brother Henry Thiessen; brothers in-law Ed Biech, Clarence Mayer and Wally Thiessen; sister in-law Lydia Thiessen; brother in-law Victor Dombrowsky. Leonard will be sadly missed by his family and friends and not a day will go by that he will not be in our thoughts. A graveside service with Ken Epp officiating was held Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Herbert Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Robert Thiessen, Barry Thiessen, Blake Thiessen, Scott Johnson, Scott Stevens and Jeff Kluthe. Honorary pallbearer, Ron Thiessen. A celebration of Leonard’s life was held at the Lions Hall in Herbert, SK, Saturday September 27, 2008 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of the donor’s choice.