Susanne Willms Thielman died Feb. 7, 2011 at 96. She was born May 9, 1914 in Tiege, Ukraine to Heinrich and Susanna (Neufeld) Willms. As a child, Susanne loved to sing, explore, and go to school. In 1930, the family immigrated to Canada. They settled in Abbotsford, B.C., and helped to establish South Abbotsford MB Church, where Susanne was baptized into membership. After working as a domestic to help pay the family’s Reiseschuld, Susanne studied to become a practical nurse. In 1954, Susanne married George G. Thielman. They moved to the U.S., where George taught at universities in Decatur, Ga., and Seattle, Wash. After George died in 1991, Susanne lived in Tucson, Ariz., and Fredericksburg, Va. In 2010, while living with her sister in Abbotsford, B.C., Susanne collaborated with niece Selma Willms Turner to revise and publish her memoir Susanne Remembers. Predeceased by George, 4 siblings; Susanne is mourned by sons Hans, Gerhard (Judith); 6 grandchildren; 2 siblings.
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