Verna Thieszen

Verna L. (Litwiller) Thieszen was born on June 15, 1929 to Christian and Bessie (Yoder) Litwiller. She was the fourth of seven children. Verna went into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ on June 8, 2010 at the age of 80 years. Upon profession of her faith in Jesus Christ, Verna was baptized by Rev. N. J. Schmucker on July 6, 1941 and joined the Evangelical Mennonite Church near Berne, IN. Her church membership was transferred by letter to the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson, NE on October 4, 1959.

After graduating from Monroe High School, Verna was employed at the Dunbar Furniture Factory in Berne until her family moved to Wheaton, IL. While living in Wheaton with her family, Verna commuted to nearby Chicago and was employed at Moody Bible Institute in the Stewardship Department. She soon enrolled as a student and graduated with a diploma in Christian Education. Verna entered MCC voluntary service after graduating from Moody, first at Kingsview Hospital in Reedley, CA and later at Prairie View Hospital in Newton, KS where she met her husband, Darrel Thieszen.

Darrel and Verna were married on April 15, 1956 at the Evangelical Mennonite Church near Berne, IN. They moved to a farm near Henderson and Verna often helped with a variety of farming tasks, especially harvesting. Her household responsibility while growing up was to help with food preparation and she learned this very well. In Henderson, Verna quickly learned to bake zwiebach and other ethnic foods from Darrel’s mother and aunts. Her chocolate chip cookies were known to disappear mysteriously from the basement freezer, much to her joy and frustration. Dolls, angel figurines, and lighthouses were favorite things she enjoyed collecting.

Four children were born to Darrel and Verna: Eugene, Janice, Karen, and Donna. Verna was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Family gatherings and visits to family over the years were special to her, including trips to Berne, IN; Tucson, AZ; Chicago, IL; two trips to Africa; and recently several trips to Cordell, OK. Darrel and Verna recently celebrated their 54th anniversary.

Verna’s greatest love was her Lord. By her suggestion she and Darrel shared devotions while dating and daily Bible reading and prayer became an important part of their family life. Darrel and Verna willingly committed their children to God for full-time ministry if God so desired. Verna especially enjoyed teaching children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Bethesda and joyfully participated in Mission Circle as long as her health permitted. Verna loved to listen to the Bible teaching of Kay Arthur and to ministers who spoke with joy and anticipation of the Lord’s return. She also loved listening to Christian music.

In the past several years, due to failing health, Verna was in the Henderson Hospital and Care Center on a number of occasions. While there she enjoyed hymn-sings with family and visits from friends and staff. Verna courageously endured three surgeries since January and remained strong in her faith even as her physical strength weakened.

Left to mourn her passing are her husband Darrel of Henderson; one son: Eugene of Cordell, OK; three daughters: Janice Perez of Aurora, Karen (Doug) Swanson of Aurora, and Donna (Steve) Janssen of Marquette; twelve grandchildren: Nate Perez, Miriam (Joe) Heider, Jacob Perez, Abigail Perez (engaged to Cory Taylor), Sarah Perez, Braden, Andrew, Tori, Matthew and Trevor Swanson, Benjamin and Olivia Janssen; and one great-grandchild, Azalia Heider. Also surviving are her brother Robert (Marilyn) Litwiller; sisters Delores Moorman, Juanita (Jim) Adams; brothers-in-law Charles Allison and Robert Meshberger; nieces and nephews and their families. Preceding her in death were her parents, Christian and Bessie Litwiller; sisters: Millicent, Marjorie, and Romayne; and brothers-in-law: Harry Habegger, Arvian Habegger, Forrest Felger, and Jack Moorman.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson with burial in the Bethesda Cemetery following services. Memorials may be directed to Bethesda Radio Fund or the Mennonite Central Committee.