Obituary

Edna Thiessen Siemens

Obituary

Edna Thiessen Siemens died peacefully in her home on Jan. 19, 2014.

She was born in 1922 in McPherson to Margaret and George W. Thiessen.

Edna grew up in Dinuba, Calif. She received her B.A. from Tabor College and her BMA in education from Wichita State University. Edna met John Siemens Jr. at Tabor College, when he heard her lovely singing voice during a concert. They began a lifelong partnership, marrying in Dinuba, Calif., in 1948.

Edna was an educator and counselor at Newton High School and Bethel College in Newton. Moving to Overland Park after retirement, she volunteered until recently tutoring students at the KU Edwards Campus.

Edna balanced raising her two daughters, her career, corporate entertaining and cultural philanthropy for multiple arts organizations in Wichita and Newton. She also dabbled in oil investing, which helped facilitate the family's quarter horses.

Edna and John traveled extensively in the United States and abroad, making friends from Mazatlan to Istanbul. Her boundless enthusiasm and spirit for learning and living life to the fullest inspired her family, students and friends.

Edna is survived by daughters, Emily O'Shea (Randy) and Jayne Siemens (Danny Clinkscale). She also is survived by her sisters, Martha Stirewalt, Verna Ford, and brother, George Thiessen, all of California.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Siemens Jr., seven siblings and five dachshunds.

Please make a contribution in honor of Edna to the KU Endowment Fund or educational fund of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in The Chapel at 4 p.m.