Thiessen, Rudy (1941-2021)
Rudy Thiessen: teacher, church leader, volunteer; born 27 May 1941 in Einlage, Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, Ukraine to Heinrich Thiessen (23 October 1910, Blumenfeld, Nepluyevka, South Russia - 23 October 1996, Germany) and Anna (Harder) Thiessen (21 June 1916, Blumenfeld, Nepluyevka, South Russia – 14 March 2000, Abbotsford, British Columbia); the fourth of six children. On 3 August 1962, Rudy married Lois Warkentin, daughter of David H. Warkentin (1900–1981) and Anna (Ewert) Warkentin (1901–1958). They had three children: Debbie, Keith, and Rodney. After a short battle with cancer, Rudy died at home in Abbotsford, BC on 25 January 2021.
Towards the end of World War II, Anna Thiessen and her children fled to Germany. However, Rudy’s father had been taken prisoner and sent to a Siberian prison workcamp. They would be reunited again in 1978, but only after both parents had remarried. In 1948, Anna Thiessen and her children immigrated to Canada, settling in Abbotsford, where Rudy attended Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI).
After high school, Rudy briefly worked in Terrace, British Columbia, before learning the electrical trade in Vancouver. Following marriage, he and Lois moved to California, where he attended Fresno Pacific University and earned a B.A. They moved back to BC where Rudy completed his teacher’s training at Simon Fraser University and began his teaching career. After two years in the public education system, he was hired at Mennonite Educational Institute, where he taught physical education, Bible, and marketing, and coached many sports teams.
In 1976, Rudy and Lois, with their three children, moved to Paraguay where they served with the Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions and Services (BOMAS) for two years. Upon their return to Abbotsford, Rudy resumed teaching at MEI, and retired in 2001, having taught at MEI for a total of 30 years.
Following retirement, Rudy and Lois committed to spending their years as volunteers. Missions trips took them to Bolivia, Fiji, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Russia. Through Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), Rudy worked in practical ways to "respond, rebuild, restore" hope, after natural disasters of wildfires in Dulzura, California (2009), Hurricanes Rita and Ike, Louisiana (2010), and Hurricane Sandy, New York City (2012). Over the space of eleven years, Rudy and Lois volunteered a total of eleven times at Haggai International in Maui. During the times that Rudy was at home in Abbotsford, his schedule included three days per week at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Thrift Store. His last shift was two weeks prior to his death.
Rudy served his church, Northview Community Church, as moderator during critical times. The first time (1992–1997) was a period of dynamic and sustained growth at Northview, and Rudy’s leadership was key. He believed in finding a prayerful consensus among the elders on all decisions, and he had the trust and respect of both the council and the congregation. When Pastor Vern Heidebrecht began to experience health challenges –- which would eventually require transitional leadership –- Rudy answered the call and provided strong and steady direction, once again as moderator, during times of uncertainty.
Rudy was a devoted family man, regarded as generous and encouraging; one who lent a hand wherever needed, or just a listening ear. He impacted many young people through his years of teaching, helping to build character in his students and athletes on the teams he coached. His strong faith and love for Jesus was the theme of his life and motivated him to a life of service – at home, at work, in church, and in his community – an inspiration to all who knew him.
Bibliography
"Rudy Thiessen." The Abbotsford News. 25 Jan. 2021. Web. 1 May 2021. https://www.abbynews.com/obituaries/rudy-thiessen-2/.
| Author(s) | David F Loewen |
|---|---|
| Date Published | August 2021 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Loewen, David F. "Thiessen, Rudy (1941-2021)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. August 2021. Web. 24 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Thiessen,_Rudy_(1941-2021)&oldid=172132.
APA style
Loewen, David F. (August 2021). Thiessen, Rudy (1941-2021). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Thiessen,_Rudy_(1941-2021)&oldid=172132.
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