John Thiessen, Sr.

John P. Thiessen, Sr. passed away Monday, April 19, 2010, 10 days before his 90th birthday. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at The Village Presbyterian Church, 6631 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan., on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 11 a.m. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to the Discretionary Fund at Village Presbyterian Church. John was born on April 29, 1920, in Jansen, Neb., a small Mennonite community. His Mennonite heritage was always a source of great strength and pride, not only to him but also to his entire family. John made a name for himself early as an outstanding student and president of his senior class in high school. He and his best friend/cousin, Bob Fast, were among the first from Jansen to attend and graduate from college, for them, the University of Nebraska, where they were SAE brothers. Members of "the Greatest Generation", both fought in the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944 and early 1945. John served with the 14th Armored Division and Bob with the 35th Infantry Division. While John's unit was engaged in intense fighting in Hatten, France, on January 10, 1945, only 60 miles away, Bob was killed in similar fighting in Belgium. On December 9, 1944, two days before going off to war, John eloped with Barbara Stearns, the love of his life. Their 61 years together produced three sons, seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, all of whom survive. Barbara died in 2004. After the war John worked with his father at the Jansen Lumber Company. In 1948 he opened a John Deere dealership, the Thiessen Implement Company in Fairbury, Neb. He sold that company in 1957 and moved his family to Kansas City, where he took a job with an advertising specialties company, the Vernon Company of Newton, Iowa. During his 29 years with Vernon, he excelled as one of their top salesmen and was ultimately promoted to national sales manager for his last six years with the company. John loved his Nebraska Cornhuskers. He enjoyed becoming "chef du jour" upon his retirement and was known by his grandchildren for his hilarious colloquialisms. John put smiles on our faces for 90 years. Although we will no longer have the opportunity to enjoy his constant good humor and enthusiasm for life, we will have our memories of this selfless, accepting and giving man who always lifted our spirits and made us feel good about ourselves no matter the challenges he or we faced. John's sons John Thiessen, Jr., Michael and daughter-in-law Nancy, Richard Thiessen; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews all cherish the example he set for all.

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