Aldon D Thieszen

Celebration of Life Services for Aldon D. Thieszen will be held on Monday, July 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Bonnie Brock officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the Bethesda Mennonite Church Cemetery east of Henderson, Nebraska in York County.

Aldon Dean Thieszen, 86 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege as a result of a motor vehicle/pedestrian accident. Aldon was born November 11, 1930 in Henderson, the third of six children born to Daniel and Marie (Epp) Thieszen. He received his primary education through the eighth grade at a country school near Henderson, Rural School District #73 East. Following his education, Aldon spent two years doing mission work with the Mennonite PAX Program, completing six months in Germany, and eighteen months in Greece, before returning to Henderson to farm with his father in 1954. Later in life he completed his high school degree in May of 2000 through Hastings Community College at the age of 70.

On December 29, 1957, he was united in marriage to Erna Joan Jantzen at the First Mennonite Church in rural Beatrice, Nebraska by Pastor Harold Buller. To this union four children were born: twins: Gaylan Anthony and Dianne Elizabeth, Charlotte Elaine, and Phyllis Ellen. Aldon and Erna farmed, operated a dairy, and raised hogs near Henderson for many years. In 1971, they moved to a farm north of Alma, Nebraska, where they engaged in farming until Aldon's retirement. Aldon was also talented at fixing, and repairing anything. Besides the farm, he also operated a Handy Man Service for several years. In 2012, Aldon and Erna moved off the farm into Holdrege.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, and was very active throughout the years with the Harlan County Farm Bureau, serving as past President. In his spare time, Aldon enjoyed woodworking, and gardening.

Aldon was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gaylan Anthony Thieszen who was born at rest; brother-in-law, Karmie Galle; and sister-in-law, Shirley Thieszen.

He leaves to celebrate his life: his wife of 59 years, Erna Thieszen of Holdrege; three daughters: Dianne Petersen and her husband, Mark of Lincoln, Nebraska; Charlotte Pesek and her husband, Stuart of Shelton, Nebraska, and Phyllis Keyser of Council Bluffs, Iowa; six grandchildren: Mark Keyser and his wife, Becky; Krista Branz and her husband, Darrel; Kaylla White and her husband, Josh; Lucas Pesek and his fiancé, Jen Kellogg; Jamie Petersen and her husband, Ryan; and Amy Petersen; seven great-grandchildren: Clayton, Reese, and Wyatt Branz; Evelyn and Clara White; and Delaney and Maddox Keyser; three brothers: Harold Thieszen and his wife, Esther; Carl Thieszen and his wife, Louise; and Marvin Thieszen all of North Newton, Kansas; two sisters: Rosella Schwartz and her husband, John of Marian, South Dakota; and Edna Galle of Lawrence, Kansas; many nieces and nephews; a host of family on the Jantzen side of the family; and friends.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Aldon's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Aldon's honor and kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege or the Nebraska Commission for the Blind.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.