David Isaac Thiessen Obituary in Grande Prairie at Oliver's Funeral Home & Crematorium

Obituaries

David Isaac Thiessen

November 28, 1930 - January 16, 2019

Obituary For David Isaac Thiessen

Dave Thiessen, longtime resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie at the age of 88 years.

Dave was born in Coaldale, AB on November 28, 1930, to Isaak and Katherina Thiessen and grew up on a dairy farm in the Coaldale/Lethbridge area. He completed Grade 12 at the Alberta Mennonite High School and then attended Coaldale Bible School, where he met his future wife, Flora Schmidt.

After moving to Grande Prairie to seek work, on October 3, 1953, Dave began a long and rewarding career at “the plywood plant” (Northern Plywoods, later named Canadian Forest Products Ltd./Canfor). Starting as a labourer, he progressed through several different supervisory positions during his 37 years of employment and was the General Manager of Plywood and Hines Creek Divisions at the time of his retirement in March 1990.

On June 9, 1954, Dave married Flora Schmidt of La Glace, AB, and in 1956 they purchased Flora’s grandfather’s farm east of Grande Prairie where they raised their 3 children (Donna, Ken and Joan) in a home filled with love, laughter, and a strong Christian faith. They faithfully attended McLaurin Baptist Church and were involved in Camp Wapiti.

Dad was hard-working and managed to balance the demands of both a full-time job and farming. We have warm memories of working and playing together on the farm and enjoying the many blessings of country living with extended family and friends.

Dad also took pleasure in traveling, reading, collecting coins, and he enjoyed music. He was blessed with an excellent memory for names, details of events, and songs and poems; as a family we treasure his recollections.

Dad invested a lot of time in the lives of his children and grandchildren and, in his later years, nothing brought him more joy than spending time with or hearing about the latest antics of his “13 Little People” (his great-grandchildren).

Throughout his life, Dad was a true gentleman who was both kind and generous. He was a good listener, a wise advisor, had an excellent sense of humour, and he valued “doing it right the first time.”

Loving husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa, Dave leaves many loved ones to mourn his passing and to carry on his legacy, including his 3 children: Donna (Rob) Siebert, Ken (Linda) Thiessen, and Joan (Barry) Banks; 5 grandchildren: Tyler (Lana) Siebert, Lexie (Geoff) Brown, Carston (Sharon) Siebert, Nathan (Elizabeth) Thiessen, and Travis Banks (Andrea Price); and 13 great-grandchildren: Reagan and Jayla Siebert; Myron, Carter, Dawson, Kenton, and Quinna Brown; Broden and Ryler Lebrun, Denvyr and Stetson Siebert; and Kenny and Kaden Thiessen. He will also be dearly missed by his surviving siblings: Helen Friesen and George (Dora) Thiessen, and by a caring circle of extended family and friends.

Welcoming him home in heaven are his loving wife of 53 years, Flora, his parents and 7 siblings, and many other cherished family members.

A Memorial Service with lunch to follow will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 11:00am at McLaurin Baptist Church in Grande Prairie (10913 107 Ave.).

Memorial donations may be made to Camp Wapiti (C/O McLaurin Baptist Church, 10913 107 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7P9), Peace River Bible Institute (Box 99, Sexsmith, AB, T0H 3C0), or charity of one’s choice.

Services

26 Jan

Funeral Service

11:00 AM

McLaurin Baptist Church , Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

June 24, 2021

Brown Lois

Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing , my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Lois
June 24, 2021

Smith Pender and Donna

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all with the loss of your father. Iâ??m sure his memory will sustain you the the coming months and years. The hope you have in seeing him again one day will comfort you. Love and prayers Pender and Donna💕
June 24, 2021

Schaefer Bonnie

My family wants to extend our deepest sympathies on the loss of your dad. We didnâ??t get the chance to know him well but what we did had an impact. What a beautiful person he was. He was so kind to our Mom, Ingrid.
June 24, 2021

Tarrant Colleen

Donna, Ken & Joan My deepest condolences on the passing of your father. His strength and character shines though you all. Respectfully Colleen Tarrant
June 24, 2021

Krahn Dawn and Bob

It was an honour to have known Dave. We cherish his children, grand-children and great grandchildren! He was a godly and faithful man who leaves an eternal legacy. We will always cherish our times together and we send our prayers and love and deepest sympathy ... he will be sorely missed and always remembered with joy and thankfulness! May the Lord be your strong comfort in your loss.
June 24, 2021

Roos Rina

Our condolences to the family. Dave was very much respected. He always had time for a chat and he will be missed. We are traveling in Australia and regret that we cannot attend the memorial service. Our thoughts are with you. Rina and John Roos
June 24, 2021

Thiessen Brien

Our sincere heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dad. While we cannot attend the services our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Our dad cannot attend due to momâ??s health and the daily visits he makes to her home. He was very sad to hear of Davidâ??s passing. We would live to keep in touch.
June 24, 2021

Barkman Ellwood and Anne

We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Dave's passing. We have many special memories of him, the most special one is from 50 years ago - we spent our honeymoon in the Peace River and Grand Prairie area and made an overnight stop at your farm. Your parents treated us to a wonderful steak supper and then sent more steaks along for us to bar-b-q on the rest of our journey! We connected often during the years and always enjoyed Uncle Dave's interest in our lives. Thanks for being a very special Uncle to us, we will miss you and will see you in glory! Our prayers for comfort will be with you as you remember your Dad on Saturday!
June 24, 2021

Hamm (Poettcker) Mary

Dear Family of Uncle Dave, we are so saddened by your father's death, but so happy for him that he is at home with Jesus and better than he ever was here on earth! I remember Uncle Dave as a fun-loving uncle who had a hearty laugh. I remember him coming to visit our family shortly after his accident at his work place. He had a full body cast. He invited us to punch him as hard as we could, and we only hurt our fists - not him!! It was the first time I had ever seen a cast. We pray for all of you that when your hearts feel broken, you will have lots of happy memories of a wonderful man!

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