Obituary, Gustav Thieszen

Gustav Thieszen was born near Langham Saskatchewan, Canada on Oct. 5, 1913 to Johann and Aganetha (Janzen) Thieszen. He moved with his family to Henderson two years later. He was promoted to his eternal home on May 2, 2008 to be in the presence of His Lord and Savior, whom he loved and served.
Gus grew up in Henderson and attended Henderson School District #95 all 12 years, graduating from high school in 1932. He taught in local rural schools for four years after graduation and attended summer school for three years at York College. He was baptized upon his confession of faith in Christ as his personal Savior and was an active life-long church member.
He married Anna Kroeker on May 18, 1938. They enjoyed 62 years together until her passing on March 31, 1999. Their union was blessed with five children.
He lived his entire life in the Henderson community as an entrepreneurial businessman involved in many ventures. He founded or co-founded these local businesses: Henderson Hatchery, Thieszen Bros. Well Drilling, Gustav Thieszen Irrigation Company, Midwest Irrigation Co., Henderson Lockers, Henderson Broiler Plant, Henderson Cement & Casing Company, Mid-State Irrigation Co., Interstate Manufacturing Company, Dutch Foods, Cropland Industries, and a J.I. Case Dealership which operated in conjunction with his irrigation branch office in York.
He also owned farms in York, Hamilton and Holt counties in Nebraska, and at Wray, Colorado.
He considered his greatest business accomplishment to be the drilling of 2,400 irrigation and city wells, and 985 house wells. He served on the boards of various civic, educational, and business institutions, and funded a family charitable foundation in the 1950s. He was also instrumental in bringing a hospital and doctors to Henderson. Gus retired from all his business interests except two farms in 1975, and during retirement enjoyed gardening and traveling, visiting his children overseas and also seeing historic sites. He was honored in August 1999 at the second annual York County Ag Tour for his many contributions to agriculture in the county and was inducted into the York County Ag Hall of Fame in 2002.
The spiritual welfare of his family was his priority. He was both an example and an inspiration to them as he was often seen reading his Bible and living out his faith. His devotion to his wife Anna and his selfless care for her through her last years was an extraordinary model of love.
Gus is survived by his sister, Emma Epp of Henderson; his children, Verla Lou and Lester Unruh of Rock Hill, S.C., Twila JoAnn and Clarence Gillett of Papua, Indonesia, Milford Eugene and Sally Thieszen of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Elroy Dean and Debby Thieszen of O’Neill; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johann and Aganetha Thieszen; his sisters, Anna Peters, Marie Buller and Agnes Bergen; his brother, John J. Thieszen; his wife, Anna Thieszen; his son, Donald Leroy Thieszen; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2008 at the Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Henderson with the Reverend Delbert Regier officiating. Interment will follow at the Council Union Cemetery, southwest of York. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church until time of service.
Memorials may be directed to the Thieszen Family Missionary Fund. Please make all checks payable to Faith Community Church, 515 N. 10th St., O’Neill, NE, 68763.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.metzmortuary.com.
Metz Mortuary, Henderson is handling arrangements.