Obituary for Harvey Thiessen
Harvey Henry Thiessen, age 71, of Peace River, Alberta, peacefully passed away on June 25, 2022 in University Hospital in Edmonton due to complications from a cardiac arrest.
Harv was born in Watrous, SK to Edna & Henry Thiessen on April 19, 1951. He married Marilyn Ann Neufeld on June 28, 1975.
Harv's heart was always on the farm, even when he left the farm in 2004 to pursue a career as a Journeyman Welder in Nisku, Alberta. The annual ritual was to take time off work in Alberta to go back to the farm in spring and fall to help his brothers seed and harvest. This plan was made clear to his employers at the onset of employment...non-negotiable.
Harv enjoyed the simple things in life. He never yearned for things he couldn't afford. He was content and thankful for what he had. He loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren and would do anything for them. Simple excursions and visits with family was where his heart was. Simple road trips, nature hikes, picnics with his wife or family were a treat. The combine would be fired up in May just to give his grandkids a ride on the combine. These times will be remembered, cherished and missed.
In 2012 Harv & Marilyn's son, Clayton, had a life altering accident. Harv and Marilyn moved to Peace River, Alberta, where Clayton lived, to help get a business up and running for him. The shop for this business was Harv's domain. He took a bare-bones shop and turned it into a well organized productive space. When he wasn't fixing and welding, he was welding and fixing. He modified machinery to meet Clayton's needs, he engineered and machined and invented equipment in order to optimize efficiency. Harv's dad always said, "Harvey can fix anything". Harv's grandson, Cedrick, said, "grandpa can fix anything". His wife, Marilyn, said, "if he wasn't so busy fixing for his kids, perhaps he would have time to fix a thing or two around the house".
A few years ago, Harv developed a hobby. Trail blazing! Our home in Peace River is located along the river bank with a few acres of pasture land behind the house. In his spare time, he blazed dog walking trails for the community to enjoy. At the farm he created gorgeous trails amongst the mature trees that his grandpa had planted, just so his grandkids would have a nice place to drive the garden tractor and quad.
Over the years, Harv served on the Wheat Pool Committee, the Hog Producers Committee, Treasurer for the Church, Condo Board, to name a few.
Harv's quiet unobtrusive way will be missed by all who knew him. Harv was an intelligent thinker in all he did. We loved Harv deeply and deeply respected him. It's comforting to know that his children and grandchildren will continue to learn and grow from the great legacy he provided.
Harv is preceded in death by his parents, Henry (2013) and Edna Thiessen (Schroeder) (2021).
Harv is survived by his wife Marilyn Thiessen (Neufeld), his daughter Angela (Wight) and son-in-law Guy Wight, his son Clayton Thiessen, his son Graham and daughter-in-law Chelsea Thiessen (DeKok). He is survived by 7 grandchildren, Brodie, Presley, Angelica, Cedrick, Jayce, Eben and Ayanna.
Harv is survived by his brother, Bernie and sister-in-law Phyllis (Rempel), his brother John and sister-in-law Vicki (Gross), his brother David and sister-in-law Patti (Peters), his brother Garry and sister-in-law Ruth (Amos), his cousin who is like a brother, Ed Drachenburg and Ed's wife Elaine (Dopko), eight nieces and nephews and their children,
Harv was born in Watrous, SK to Edna & Henry Thiessen on April 19, 1951. He married Marilyn Ann Neufeld on June 28, 1975.
Harv's heart was always on the farm, even when he left the farm in 2004 to pursue a career as a Journeyman Welder in Nisku, Alberta. The annual ritual was to take time off work in Alberta to go back to the farm in spring and fall to help his brothers seed and harvest. This plan was made clear to his employers at the onset of employment...non-negotiable.
Harv enjoyed the simple things in life. He never yearned for things he couldn't afford. He was content and thankful for what he had. He loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren and would do anything for them. Simple excursions and visits with family was where his heart was. Simple road trips, nature hikes, picnics with his wife or family were a treat. The combine would be fired up in May just to give his grandkids a ride on the combine. These times will be remembered, cherished and missed.
In 2012 Harv & Marilyn's son, Clayton, had a life altering accident. Harv and Marilyn moved to Peace River, Alberta, where Clayton lived, to help get a business up and running for him. The shop for this business was Harv's domain. He took a bare-bones shop and turned it into a well organized productive space. When he wasn't fixing and welding, he was welding and fixing. He modified machinery to meet Clayton's needs, he engineered and machined and invented equipment in order to optimize efficiency. Harv's dad always said, "Harvey can fix anything". Harv's grandson, Cedrick, said, "grandpa can fix anything". His wife, Marilyn, said, "if he wasn't so busy fixing for his kids, perhaps he would have time to fix a thing or two around the house".
A few years ago, Harv developed a hobby. Trail blazing! Our home in Peace River is located along the river bank with a few acres of pasture land behind the house. In his spare time, he blazed dog walking trails for the community to enjoy. At the farm he created gorgeous trails amongst the mature trees that his grandpa had planted, just so his grandkids would have a nice place to drive the garden tractor and quad.
Over the years, Harv served on the Wheat Pool Committee, the Hog Producers Committee, Treasurer for the Church, Condo Board, to name a few.
Harv's quiet unobtrusive way will be missed by all who knew him. Harv was an intelligent thinker in all he did. We loved Harv deeply and deeply respected him. It's comforting to know that his children and grandchildren will continue to learn and grow from the great legacy he provided.
Harv is preceded in death by his parents, Henry (2013) and Edna Thiessen (Schroeder) (2021).
Harv is survived by his wife Marilyn Thiessen (Neufeld), his daughter Angela (Wight) and son-in-law Guy Wight, his son Clayton Thiessen, his son Graham and daughter-in-law Chelsea Thiessen (DeKok). He is survived by 7 grandchildren, Brodie, Presley, Angelica, Cedrick, Jayce, Eben and Ayanna.
Harv is survived by his brother, Bernie and sister-in-law Phyllis (Rempel), his brother John and sister-in-law Vicki (Gross), his brother David and sister-in-law Patti (Peters), his brother Garry and sister-in-law Ruth (Amos), his cousin who is like a brother, Ed Drachenburg and Ed's wife Elaine (Dopko), eight nieces and nephews and their children,