Obituary of Maria Thiessen
It is with great heartbroken sadness, that we announce the passing of Maria Thiessen (nee Froese) of Winkler MB at the young age of 70. She passed away peacefully at the Boundary Trails Hospital on Thursday, April 17th, at 7am, with her loving husband by her side. She was diagnosed with cancer on March 24th 2025, but lost the battle only a short three and a half weeks later.
Maria is survived by her husband Jake Thiessen of 42 years and their 3 children: Amanda Klatt (Eric), Steven Thiessen (Chantelle), and Dennis Thiessen (Brooke). Her 7 grandchildren: Autumn, Emily, Zooey, Mila, Daxton, Ryan, and Bodhi. She will also be greatly missed by her 2 siblings: Peter Froese and Susan Neufeld (Juan), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Maria was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Agatha Froese, and 8 siblings: Jacob, Johan, Katharina, Margaretha, Agatha, Sarah, Katharina (Tina), and Helena.
She was born on March 12th, 1955 to Jacob and Agatha Froese in the small Village of Kronsgard, Mexico, near Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua. She was the tenth of eleven children. She grew up on a farm, where she worked hard, and attended school until grade 6. She was baptized on the confession of her faith on June 10th, 1973 at the age of 18. Her family moved to Alberta, Canada, on June 7th, 1977 where she worked on a bee farm. In 1981, along with her parents, she moved to Winkler, Manitoba. In the spring of 1982 Maria met Jake, and married him on December 31st of that same year at the Zion Mennonite Church in Schanzenfeld. Shortly after, their family began with the birth of their first child, Amanda. They moved to Gretna Manitoba in 1984 where they expanded their family with the birth of their son Steven and couple of years later, Dennis. In 1988, they packed up their family and moved back to Winkler, where they eventually found their forever home.
While residing in Winkler, she attended English classes for about 2 years where she made many friends and lasting impressions. She worked in home care and cleaning services for many years and took pride in doing the best she could. In early 2000, she got a job at Salem Home where she worked as a house keeper until she retired.
Jake and Maria attended the Zion Mennonite church from 1982-1990. From there on after they attended the Winkler Evangelical Mennonite Church where Maria served for many years as a Sunday school teacher and worked with the ladies group. Maria had a strong faith in the Lord which was always evident through her life especially in the end.
We would like to thank the staff at the Boundary Trails Hospital for their wonderful care, and Wiebe's Funeral Home for their compassionate work. Also, to all her family, friends, Pastor James Peters, and Pastor John Wiebe that visited and prayed for her throughout this tough time. She greatly appreciated and loved you all.
"Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again."
It is with great heartbroken sadness, that we announce the passing of Maria Thiessen (nee Froese) of Winkler MB at the young age of 70. She passed away peacefully at the Boundary Trails Hospital on Thursday, April 17th, at 7am, with her loving husband by her side. She was diagnosed with cancer on March 24th 2025, but lost the battle only a short three and a half weeks later.
Maria is survived by her husband Jake Thiessen of 42 years and their 3 children: Amanda Klatt (Eric), Steven Thiessen (Chantelle), and Dennis Thiessen (Brooke). Her 7 grandchildren: Autumn, Emily, Zooey, Mila, Daxton, Ryan, and Bodhi. She will also be greatly missed by her 2 siblings: Peter Froese and Susan Neufeld (Juan), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Maria was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Agatha Froese, and 8 siblings: Jacob, Johan, Katharina, Margaretha, Agatha, Sarah, Katharina (Tina), and Helena.
She was born on March 12th, 1955 to Jacob and Agatha Froese in the small Village of Kronsgard, Mexico, near Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua. She was the tenth of eleven children. She grew up on a farm, where she worked hard, and attended school until grade 6. She was baptized on the confession of her faith on June 10th, 1973 at the age of 18. Her family moved to Alberta, Canada, on June 7th, 1977 where she worked on a bee farm. In 1981, along with her parents, she moved to Winkler, Manitoba. In the spring of 1982 Maria met Jake, and married him on December 31st of that same year at the Zion Mennonite Church in Schanzenfeld. Shortly after, their family began with the birth of their first child, Amanda. They moved to Gretna Manitoba in 1984 where they expanded their family with the birth of their son Steven and couple of years later, Dennis. In 1988, they packed up their family and moved back to Winkler, where they eventually found their forever home.
While residing in Winkler, she attended English classes for about 2 years where she made many friends and lasting impressions. She worked in home care and cleaning services for many years and took pride in doing the best she could. In early 2000, she got a job at Salem Home where she worked as a house keeper until she retired.
Jake and Maria attended the Zion Mennonite church from 1982-1990. From there on after they attended the Winkler Evangelical Mennonite Church where Maria served for many years as a Sunday school teacher and worked with the ladies group. Maria had a strong faith in the Lord which was always evident through her life especially in the end.
We would like to thank the staff at the Boundary Trails Hospital for their wonderful care, and Wiebe's Funeral Home for their compassionate work. Also, to all her family, friends, Pastor James Peters, and Pastor John Wiebe that visited and prayed for her throughout this tough time. She greatly appreciated and loved you all.
"Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again."