Susan Viola Thiessen
Obituary
WHITEWATER - Susan Viola Thiessen, 92, was born April 15,
1922, to John and Helene (Harder) Thiessen.
She had fond memories of growing up on the farm east of
Whitewater. The last day of school picnic at Brainerd Grade School was a
highlight because it signaled summer was waiting and with it cooking, baking,
canning and sewing to be enjoyed.
On May 28, 1938, she was baptized upon the confession of her
faith and joined the Emmaus Church of which she remained a faithful member.
June 8, 1941, was the day Susan's life was altered forever. That night a
tornado destroyed the family farm. The injuries she suffered that night left
her paralyzed at the waist. The doctor gave her only a few months to live.
Through God's grace she outlived the doctor's predictions and even outlived
those doctors.
Being a teenager confined to a wheelchair was not without
its battles. With a very understanding and encouraging family, a very
supportive church, many prayers, and the promises of God, she not only survived
but flourished. She finished her high school education by correspondence, then
with the help of her brother, Bernard, she attended and graduated from Grace
Bible Institute in 1949.
In 1952, the speaker at the Emmaus missionary conference
shared the need for an office secretary at the "Go Ye Mission." Susan
felt led to make an application and was accepted. By God's grace, this became
an ongoing ministry for 36 years of fulfilling service. She and her friends
also ministered at the Park Hill Church each weekend.
In 1988, Susan retired from Go Ye Mission and moved back to
Whitewater. She lived at the Sunflower apartments and worked part-time with the
activities at Wheat State Manor.
In 2005, she moved to Wheat State Manor. On Dec. 4, 2014,
she was released from the bonds of this earth and the bonds of her physical
limitations. There is no doubt that she went running and jumping into heaven.
She is survived by her sister, Lydia Klaassen; her brother,
Bernard Thiessen and his wife, Ruby; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Thimmes;
brother-in-law, John Pratt; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
All services will be held at Emmaus Mennonite Church of
Whitewater, with the visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, and the funeral
service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Interment will be at 9:30 a.m.
Friday at the Emmaus Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
Wheat State Manor, of Whitewater, in care of Lamb Funeral Home, PO Box 358,
Whitewater, KS 67154.
