Agatha Thiessen (nee Sawatzky)

1917 – 2007

On Friday, January 26, 2007 at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Agatha Thiessen (nee Sawatzky) aged 90 years of Winkler, MB passed away peacefully.

Agatha Sawatzky was born as a twin on January 17, 1917 to Jacob and Margaretha Sawatzky (nee Wieler) at Haskett, MB.  At the age of 5, her family immigrated to Mexico.  August 30, 1936, she was joined in holy matrimony to Jacob A. Thiessen in Mexico.  Together with her parents, they moved back to Canada in 1937.  Their first years back in Canada were very difficult for them, but mother always made every situation seem a pleasant experience.  She enjoyed her large gardens and flowers and spent many hours tending them.  Her greatest pleasure was achieved by sharing the fruits of her labour with people who were less fortunate than us.  Every achievement of her children and later, her grandchildren and great grandchildren was worthy of a family celebration.  Mom was always a strong person and this helped her through many difficult situations.  She had a very strong faith and taught us to show people by actions, rather than words how to live a Christian life.

She leaves to mourn her passing 4 daughters, Agatha and Ed Shuel of Winnipeg, Margaret and Ray Driedger of Morden, Elsie and Cornie Klassen of Crystal City, Marianne and Bob Allen of Winnipeg; 3 sons, Abe and Bonnie of Nanaimo, BC, Jake and Martha of Altona, Bill Thiessen of Winkler as well as 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jacob Thiessen (1979); daughter, Katherine (1983); 1 son in infancy as well as 1 granddaughter and 1 great granddaughter.

Funeral service was held on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Zion Mennonite Church with Rev. David Friesen officiating.  Interment followed at Blumenfeld Cemetery.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to in Abe’s memory to the Canadian Food Grains Bank 400-280 Smith Ave. Box 767 Winnipeg, MB R3C 2L4.

Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements.