Obituary of Irene Thiessen

Irene’s Obituary

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Our sister, Irene Thiessen, was born to Dick and Jessie Thiessen on June 21, 1953 in Steinbach, Manitoba.  She was the fifth child in a family of ten.  She passed on to eternity after a courageous battle with complications after surgery on October 29, 2024 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Irene is survived by her nine siblings: Kathy (Richard) Klassen, John (Adella), Ken (Debbie), Stan (Corinne), Delbert (Elfriede), Ruth Sullivan, Bruce (Martha), Sylvia and Melvin, as well as many nieces and nephews.

When Irene was a young child she displayed a bit of her feistiness when she decided that she was old enough to help mom with the laundry, and the washer wringer caught her hand and proceeded to mangle her upper arm.  That incident left some pretty serious scarring.  She was hospitalized for quite a while.

When she was six years old her family moved to Ebor in western Manitoba.  Here was where she began her education, attending school in Ebor, Cromer, Reston, the high school at Steinbach Bible Institute, and a hairdresser course in Brandon.  Her work took her to Westman Nursing Home, Cornwallis Nursing Home, and Dinsdale Personal Care Home, besides some hairdressing.  She enjoyed hairdressing, but found that looking after people was more satisfying than looking after their hair.

Irene loved cooking.  This was evidenced by her volunteer work, cooking at Kenosee Lake Bible Camp for many weeks as head cook and also serving as a sort of kitchen administrator.  She was largely responsible for the pancake breakfast at the Brandon MCC Relief Sale.  Every year she would take some of her days off and help her mom with Christmas baking, producing many a pail full of cookies.  The family Christmas dinner was also largely dependent on her efforts.

Her volunteer work also extended to other areas of her life.  She was the secretary/treasurer for the Brandon EMC Church.  She served with CUPE. She volunteered in the office and in many other ways for Spruce Woods Housing, where she lived.  Lately she had begun to volunteer at Brandon MCC Thrift Store. Here she sorted and priced jewelry, which she really enjoyed.

Other than cooking, she loved crocheting.  She set out to crochet a baby afghan, one for each of her nieces and nephews when their babies came.  Sadly, this project was never completed.  She loved collecting salt and pepper shakers and had acquired a sizable collection. The bookshelves and movie cabinets in her home are evidence of other hobbies.

The family would like to extend thanks for all those who have prayed for us and given expressions of love.  These are much appreciated.

A funeral service will be held at the Maryfield Associated Gospel Church, 401 Robertson St., Maryfield, SK on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.