MR. JACOB I. THIESSEN, beloved husband of Mrs. Margaret Thiessen of Coaldale, AB, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at the age of 87 years.

Jake was born in Alexanderwohl, Russia in 1921, to Isaac and Katherine Thiessen. As a very young child he immigrated to Canada with his family, eventually settling in the Lethbridge area. He received his education at the Crystal Lake school. As a teenager he accepted the Lord as his Saviour.

In 1947, he married the love of his life, Margaret Wall, and together they began farming on land that they had purchased in the Broxburn area. With time and a lot of hard work, their farming venture grew into a very rewarding dairy operation. Jake had a deep love for music and took time to sing in various music groups including a male quartet which recorded for sacred programming. Jake, and his family and friends, truly enjoyed the beautiful flower beds, gardens and trees he meticulously tended and shared. Jake was a quiet, kind and wise man who showed the strength of his faith by the way he lived his life. Jake also had a witty and infectious sense of humour-of which his children and grandchildren were the main beneficiaries!! He loved to read and would often be found-lost in some newspaper article. Jake was very fortunate to enjoy his retirement years. Although the past year was physically difficult for Jake, he worked hard to overcome his limitations and enjoy time with family and friends.

Besides his loving wife of 62 years, Margaret, Jake is survived by his children; Dorothy (Bill) Siemens, Grace (Dave) Matthies, Ed (Annemarie) Thiessen, Larry (Joyce) Thiessen, and Les (Melody) Thiessen. His grandchildren; Eileen (Todd and Rae-Anne) Hooper, Keith (Glenda) Siemens, Dr. Rhea (Jarvis) Plesman, Brent Matthies, Norah-Faye Matthies, James and Evan Thiessen, Matthew, Lauren, and Aaron Thiessen, Victoria and Brian Thiessen. Jake's family will treasure the special memories each have of his love for them. He is also survived by his sister Helen, brothers; John, Abe, Isaac, Dave and George and their families, as well as the Wall family.

Jake was predeceased by his parents, sister Anna, and brothers Henry and Alfred.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at 7:00pm, on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at the MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 St., S., Lethbridge, AB.

A Memorial Service to honour Jake's life will be held at 11:00AM, on Monday, March 9, 2009, at the COALDALE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH, 2114 - 18 St., Coaldale, AB with Pastor Lorne Willms officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined, for those who wish to honour Jake's memory, donations in support of the ministries of Larry and Joyce Thiessen, (Phillippines), c/o Send International, 1-222 Jeffries Road, RR5, Komoka, ON, N0L 1R0.