Etta Thiessen

Etta Thiessen, 96, of Fargo, ND, died Thursday, July 15, 2010, at MeritCare Palliative Care, Fargo. Etta Vandilla Kent was born August 26, 1913, at Bowman County, North Dakota, daughter of Earl and Edith (Jones) Kent. Etta married Peter Thiessen in 1977. She was a member of First United Methodist Church for 64 years, faithful to her Lord all of her life. Etta enjoyed crocheting, gardening, raking leaves, baking, cooking, quilting, playing bingo and occasional trips to the casino. Etta is survived by her son Gerald (Janet) Drake, Seattle, WA; Frances (Enoch) Jenner, West Fargo, ND; Betty (Dan) Olmstead, West Fargo, ND; daughter-in-law, Delores Drake, Horace, ND; stepdaughter, Beverly (Nick) Gabriel, Albequerque, NM; stepsons, Roger (Derinda) Thiessen, Buckeye, AZ; Larry (Joyce) Thiessen, Moorhead, MN; stepdaughter, Sharon Thiessen (Marvin Dux), Apache Junction, AZ; two sisters, Thelma Wall, Monroe, OR; and Rosemary Bennett, Salem, OR; and she was especially proud of being a grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother of 135 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; 10 brothers, 1 sister; four children, Marion Banks, Joanne Ohnstad, Maxine Wateland and Bill Drake; one step-son, Stanley Thiessen; three grandsons; and three husbands. Funeral Service: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at 2:00 PM, at First United Methodist Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Monday, July 19, 2010, from 5-7 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home. Prayer Service: Monday, July 19, 2010, at 7:00 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold. Burial: Casselton Cemetery, Casselton, ND.