Willard E Thiessen

WHITEWATER – Thiessen, Willard E., 94, passed away July 5, 2015, at Wheat State Manor in Whitewater.  He was born April 23, 1921, at Whitewater, one of twelve children born of Peter and Kaete (Regier) Thiessen.  He was a farmer and stockman.  On March 9, 1947 he was married to Lena E. Nuefeld, they made their home near Whitewater, where they farmed and raised livestock.  Their marriage was blessed with three children.  He was preceded in death by his wife Lena in 2002, and siblings:  Herbert, Walter, Leonard, Arnold and David Thiessen, Edna Flora, and Wilma Stucky.  He is survived by his children:  Lauren Thiessen and his wife JoAnn of Bel Aire; Jolyn Stark and her husband David of Raymore, Missouri; and Lavada Klinger and her husband Dan of Phillipsburg; 4 siblings:  Floyd Thiessen of Lipscomb, Texas; Esther Stucky of Wichita; Selma Entz of Whitewater; and Lois Frey of Hesston; 13 grandchildren:  Gary, Brent, Scott, and Nikki Thiessen, Chad and Cory Gottschalk; David, Phillip, and Stephen Stark, Robyn Payne, and Lynden, Caitlin, and Kiersten Klinger; and 14 great-grandchildren.  Visitation will be held from  6 – 8 p.m., Wednesday evening at Emmaus Mennonite Church.  The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Emmaus Mennonite Church, Whitewater.  The interment will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, at Emmaus Cemetery.  Memorial Funds have been established for  Berean Academy or Wheat State Manor Renovation Fund in care of Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS, 67154.