Maria (Mary) D. Klaassen
Married Name:
Maria (Mary) D. Thiessen
Born: January 2, 1896
Place: Hillsboro, Kansas
Died: December 1986
Place: Inman, Kansas
Buried: Zoar Cemetery, Inman, Kansas
MOTHER:
Aganetha Duerksen
FATHER:
Dietrich A. Klaassen
SIBLINGS:
Aganetha D. Klaassen
Helena D. Klaassen
Isaac D. Klaassen
Anna D. Klaassen
Louisa D. Klaassen
Tina D. Klaassen
Benjamin D. Klaassen
Eva D. Klaassen
Susanna D. Klaassen
Sara D. Klaassen
David D. Klaassen
Herman D. Klaassen
Dietrich D. Klaassen
Arnold D. Klaassen
SPOUSE:
Jacob P. Thiessen (10/25/1893 - 7/8/1982)
Married: June 6, 1920
Place: Hillsboro, Kansas
CHILDREN:
Rosa Thiessen (4/17/1921 - Unknown)
Ann Alice Thiessen (5/2/1922 - 8/6/1976)
Howard Thiessen (11/29/1923 - Unknown)
Millard J. Thiessen (1/2/1927 - Unknown)
Louise Mae Thiessen (12/26/1928 - Unknown)
Lou Ella Thiessen (2/8/1936 - Unknown)
Widowed: July 8, 1982
BIOGRAPHY
Written by the Thiessen Family
Mary D. Klaassen was born on January 2, 1896 to Agnes and Dietrich Klaassen near Hillsboro, Kansas. She was the fifth of fifteen children. Her death leaves three sisters and one brother to remember Mary.
The growing-up years were typical for children in a large family. The work ethic came naturally, and daily religious practices learned during childhood were carried to her children and were always a part of her private life. She taught Sunday School for many years at Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church. Her favorite hymn was "Have Thine Own Way Lord" and her favorite Bible verse was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Mary's parent taught the value of education. After attending Tabor Academy and getting her teaching certificate, Mary taught for four years in the rural one-room school system. She taught in the area where Jacob Thiessen was working on his mother's farm and as providence would have it, Mary and Jacob met. They were married June 6, 1920. The two of them had a productive marriage that lasted 62 years. During these years, they farmed and raised six children.
Back Row: Ann Alice, Howard, Rosa, Millard
Front Row: Lou Ella, Father Jake, Louise, Mother Mary
Mary and Jacob retired to Inman and spent twelve years at Pleasant View Home. Jacob died July 8, 1982.
Daughter Ann Alice died August 6, 1976 and one great-grandchild died soon after birth. The five remaining children, Rose, Howard, Millard, Louise and Lou Ella, their spouses, fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren will treasure the memories that Mary gave them.
She touched us and will continue to influence our lives. Hopefully we will be fitting tributes to our Mother.
Things Don't Just Happen
Things don't just happen to us who love God;
They're planned by His own dear hand.
Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock.
Things don't just happen; they're planned.
We don't just guess on the issues of life;
We Christian just rest in the Lord
We are directed by His sovereign will,
In the light of His Holy Word.
We who love Jesus are walking by faith
Not seeing one step that's ahead,
Not doubting one moment what our lot might be,
But looking to Jesus instead.
We praise our dear Saviour for loving us so
For planning each care of our live;
Then giving us faith to trust Him for all
The blessings as well as the strife.
Things don't just happen to us who love God,
To us that have taken our stand;
No matter the lot, the cause, or the price
Things don't just happen; they're planned.
