Susanne Thiessen passed away on November 27, 2024, in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 95.

She was born July 27, 1929, in the village of Neuendorf, Ukraine. Her parents were Cornelius and Maria Thiessen, and she had two sisters, Mary and Katie and a brother Peter who died in 1939, at 14 months. In 1938, her father was taken away in the middle of the night, a victim of Stalinist oppression, never to be seen again. That left her mother to look after four children alone. In 1943, along with her mother and two sisters, she fled her home in Ukraine for Germany. On November 27, 1947, Susanne, her sisters, and mother boarded the ship Aquitania in Southampton, England for Canada landing at Pier 21 in Nova Scotia.

She married Gerhard Thiessen on September 27, 1952, in Winnipeg and had four children: Hannelore (Lori), twins Ingrid and Katie, and Werner (Vern). We have fond memories of a mom who made caring for us a priority. She sewed our clothes, cooked wonderful Mennonite meals, tended a garden and preserved fruit and vegetables. And she supported us and her grandkids with practical gifts of time and food.

Mom worked outside the home at Paulin Chambers on the chocolate floor making Easter bunnies and “Cuban Lunches”. In retirement Dad and Mom enjoyed road trips, hot vacations plus trips to Europe. Regular lunches with friends and cousins gave her great pleasure.

Susanne is predeceased by her father, brother, mother, sisters, her husband and great granddaughter Wren Watson at birth.

She is survived by her children, their spouses Paul Hermary, Lawrence Baschak, Tim Watters, Susie Moloney, seven grandchildren Michelle Hermary, Chantelle Babalola, Landon Hermary (Megan), Katie Baschak, James Baschak (Emily Watkins), Nicole Watters (Christopher Watson), Christopher Watters (Kyley), and six great grandchildren Tunde Babalola, William, Nora, and Milo Watson, Forest and Cooper Watters.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday December 4, 2024, at 11:00 am. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg.

The service is livestreamed, click link to view service.

If friends and family so desire, please donate to First Mennonite Church or Mennonite Central Committee.