Mary Elizabeth Thiessen, age 86, a resident of Hutchinson, Kansas and formerly of Greenville, Ohio passed away Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson. She was born on December 23, 1927 in Moline, Kansas the daughter of Andrew Frank and Minnie (Horning) Bruner. Mary was a graduate of Moline High School.
On September 4, 1947, Mary was united in marriage to Leo Henry Thiessen in Moline. Mary and Leo were married 52 years and spent most of their married life in Greenville, Ohio, where they raised their three children. Later in life Mary went back to school and got her LPN degree so she could continue her passion to care for others. Mary was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Greenville, Ohio. She enjoyed golf and helping out at church functions. Mary was loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to those who knew her.
Mary is survived by two daughters Patty Haugsness of Hutchinson, Kansas and Kimberly Thiessen and her husband Colin Franklin of Blue Springs, Missouri, one brother George Bruner and his wife Darlene of El Dorado, Kansas, grandchildren, Shawn Seelbrede and his wife Kristen of Lake Winnebago, Missouri; Addison Franklin, Sydney Franklin and Caleb Franklin all of Blue Springs, Missouri, great grandchildren Amelia Seelbrede and Mitchell Seelbrede both of Lake Winnebago, Missouri and caregiver Diana Duryee of Hutchinson, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leo, her daughter Linda Seelbrede, brother Frank Bruner and sister Bettie Hornbuckle.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Countryside Funeral Home with Pastor Robin Haines officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Moline Cemetery. Family suggests contributions be made to the Mary Thiessen Memorial Fund to honor those caregivers who provided loving and compassionate care for Mary and may be sent to the funeral home. Online condolence may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.
