Collection 00/MS.274 - Daniel S. Thiesen Papers

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary:

Dan S. Thiesen, who died Oct. 25, 1988, at the age of 89, served for many years as the Tabor Mennonite Church correspondent for the "Review." He wrote the following autobiography:

I, Daniel Samuel Thiesen, the firstborn son of Jacob B. and Helena (Schmidt) Thiesen, was born in West Branch Township, Marion County, Kan., on April 30, 1899, at my grandfather Jacob Thiesen's place.

When I was 2, my parents started their homestead. The barn was built first, and we lived in the barn until the house was finished.

At the age of 7, I began attending Heimbaugh District School. The first three teachers—Gustav Frey, Jacob F. Voth and eighth grade teacher Bertha Wiebe Ewert—spoke English. After graduating from the eighth grade, I attended the Goessel Preparatory School for two years.

On May 19, 1918, I was baptized by Elder Peter H. Richert upon confession of sin and faith in Jesus Christ, and became a member of Tabor Mennonite Church, which membership I have held. Also in that baptism class were Jake J. Goerzen, H. B. Schmidt, Henry I. Schroeder, Jacob A. Voth, Rudolf T. Unruhy, Anna (Lehrman) Schmidt and others.

In September 1918, I enrolled in Bethel College Academy. In September 1921 I contracted to teach at Steinbach District School. In 1923 I enrolled in Bethel College. In September 1924 I contracted to teach at Speed School east of Hillsdale, Wyo. In those two years I gained many friends. I greatly enjoyed the Sunday school and worship services held in the schools.

On June 1, 1928, I graduated from Bethel College with a bachelor of arts degree. In that graduating class were J. J. Banman, Waldo J. Epp, Henry Harms, John J. Plenert, Elizabeth (Penner) Hiebert, A. K. Ratzlaff, Willis Rich, Anton S. Richert, John P. Suderman, Ferdinand Wiens and many more.

On June 19, 1934, I married Esther Olga Franz, the daughter of Peter C. and Eva (Schmidt) Franz. We homesteaded 1 mile east and 1/2 mile north of the Tabor Church. Our home was blessed with six children, three boys and three girls. In 1942 we moved to Colorado, where I taught school. Here we gained many new friends.

In 1946 we returned to Kansas. We tried farming, but never on a big scale.

One sad event was the death of our granddaughter, Julie Ann Thiesen, who was killed in a farm tractor accident July 14, 1973.

I have enjoyed teaching Sunday school for many years and have been on various committees of the church.

In 1966 I published the Andreas and Eva Schmidt genealogy and a supplement to the genealogy in 1979. [He also translated the German archival material of the Tabor Church into English, and in 1987 completed translating the diary of Helena Warkentin from German to English. He also gave Low German readings at community events. He was an income tax consultant for many years.]

I am still a sinner and must pray for mercy and grace.

My brother Jacob was born Nov. 10, 1902. Brother Paul was born Nov. 7, 1908, and died June 27, 1965. Brother John was born July 5, 1911, and died March 16, 1912. My mother, born Jan. 4, 1875, died Jan. 22, 1939. Father, born Oct. 30, 1866, in Klippenfeld, South Russia, died Oct. 8, 1949.

Funeral services for Dan S. Thiesen were held Oct. 28 at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton, with Ray and Brenda Martin Hurst officiating.

Survivors include three sons, Kenneth of Doland, S. D., Alvin and Delbert, both of Newton; three daughters, Lucille Base of Tampa, Evelena Androes of Walton and Geneva Pryce of Newton; one brother, Jacob S. of Goessel; 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

His wife preceded him in death in 1984.