Funeral For: Walter Thiessen
Funeral Date: July 4, 2025
Walter Thiessen, 86, of Winnipeg formerly of Steinbach, passed away Friday, June 27th at St. Boniface. He is survived by his wife Hildegard, 2 daughters, 1 son, 1 brother, 2 sisters-in-law and their families. He was predeceased by 5 siblings.
The funeral service for Walter Thiessen will be held Friday, July 4th at 11am at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, 1315 Gateway Road, with burial at St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery, West St. Paul.
Viewing will be at the church prior to the service.
Donations may be made to Square One Media or Union Gospel Mission.
Arrangements by Friends Funeral Service, Winnipeg.
Family Tribute
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Walter Thiessen on Friday, June 27th, 2025 at St. Boniface Hospital.
Walter is lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Hildegard; their children Monica and husband Jake, Tim and wife Sonia and Jennifer; grandchildren Natasha and husband Terrell, Jeremy and fiancée Georgia, Owen and wife Hana, McKenna and husband Matt, Quesnel and Levi; brother John and wife Doris, sister-in-law Ruth and husband Erwin, sister-in-law Eileen; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his five siblings and their spouses.
Walter was born on January 16th, 1939 to Peter and Katharina Thiessen in Steinbach, M.B. He was the youngest of seven children. They grew up on a potato and sugar beet farm, where school and chores were the priority. In high school he developed a passion for sports, including football, baseball and curling. He played on a curling team with three of his brothers. They won too many tournaments and as a result, were forced to split up the team, but it didn’t stop his passion for the game. He also loved music and sang in quartets and choirs.
After high school he found work at the mines in Thompson where he worked as a tour guide and in the offices. After a few years he decided to further his post-secondary education at the University of Manitoba, where he completed his Arts degree. He found work as a probation officer, which was both rewarding and challenging. During this time he met the love of his life Hildegard and made the life-changing decision to accept Jesus as his Saviour. He was baptized in Central MB Church in April 1964 and in 1965 Walter and Hildegard were married. At the age of 29, Walter was accepted into law school, the same year their daughter Monica was born. To make ends meet, Walter worked on weekends for Children’s Aid. At the age of 32, he graduated from law school, the year their son Tim was born. Within a couple of years they left their rental and purchased a house in North Kildonan. In 1976 their last child Jennifer was born.
He practiced law for over 53 years, right up until the days before his passing. He absolutely loved his work and found his niche serving the German community, including numerous clients in Switzerland and Germany. Throughout his career he found time to serve on the boards of Concordia Hospital, Janz Team Ministries, Donwood Manor and many other organizations.
He was heavily involved in church work in many different areas, from Youth Leader to Church Moderator, and everything in between. In 1983 he was ordained as a minister by the Manitoba MB Conference which was a great honour. His unwavering faith in God was evidenced in his daily morning bible reading and devotional time as well as in his character. He valued honesty, integrity and always tried to do the right thing even when it was difficult.
Walter was a devoted family man who loved to spend time with immediate and extended family. Summers were spent at the family cottage on Brereton Lake together with the Duester and Bartsch families. He was also able to find time to take the family on many trips highlighted by Europe, Florida, Alaska and BC.
His grandchildren gave him great joy. He spent many, many hours cheering them on at sports games, attending music concerts, driving them to and from their many activities, often picking them up a treat along the way.
In the last number of years, through his declining health, he remained steadfast and courageous knowing that God was walking with him through it all. He was an incredible example of how to live with grace and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Walter’s family wishes to thank the staff on ward 5E at the St. Boniface Hospital for the compassion and care they showed him in the 8 weeks he was there.
The funeral service will be held at North Kildonan MB Church at 1315 Gateway Road on Friday, July 4th 2025. Viewing at 10:00am, service at 11:00am with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Union Gospel Mission or Square One Media.