Juanita Ruthdea Thiessen

Juanita Ruthdea Thiessen was born on February 6, 1941, to Perry Theodore and Louise Esther (Wales) Wakefield at home North of Oney, Oklahoma. Here she grew up attending school from 1st grade all the way up to graduation. At 14, she met Ronald Gene Thiessen at a youth rally in Eakly, Ok in November 1959. They were married at the Eakly Assembly of God in 1960. She chopped cotton to help pay for their wedding. She was a highly skilled seamstress and made her own wedding dress. In the early days of their marriage, they lived in Eakly, OK, and Ronnie took up farming until he was called to preach. Their daughter, Bonita Jean, was born in September 1960. Followed by their son, Nathan Dewayne, in 1965. A year later they moved to Carnegie for her husband's first church. There she helped in the ministry and raised their beloved children. She followed her husband to a church in Wyndette, OK, and then to Clayton, OK. All the while caring for a garden and making clothes for her family. In 1972, they moved to Mt. Sterling, Kentucky to a small Assembly of God church. In 1974, they moved West to Elkton, Kentucky after her husband was injured at a job. During this time, she did factory work while still taking care of the family, raising a garden, and teaching Sunday School. Late in 1975, they moved back to Oklahoma, buying a home in Anadarko. She and her husband renovated the house and bought an H&R Block in which she worked for several years. This was the first time they didn't have a church, but not for long. Their ministry led them to the church in Fort Cobb, OK, and there they bought a new trailer. Here she worked with the children and ladies of the church. Later they moved to Stecker, OK to preach then to Washita, OK all the while still helping the church in Fort Cobb. Here, her and her sister started a lady's quilting ministry. Many quilts and prayers were prayed in these meetings. She enjoyed reading her Bible and found great joy in reciting the 23rd Psalms. She was a devoted wife, and she and the family followed wherever the Lord called them to preach. They spent time in Hot Springs, Arkansas helping the children in a Children’s home that the Lord set in their path. When her husband decided to retire, but not really, they continued helping in other churches in the area. At their final home in Washita, they always had a large garden in which she canned and froze produce. She greatly enjoyed her flowers and took great joy in watching them grow. She was a wonderful baker and cook. She was especially known for her Angel Biscuits and muffins. In the fall, she always won many blue ribbons for her baking, canning, needlework, flowers, and won many Bests of Show for her quilts in the county fairs. She enjoyed competing with her daughter in these areas. Her and Ronnie loved traveling across the United States. They enjoyed camping and visited many National Parks throughout the States. They also enjoyed taking their grandchildren on trips to the Gulf and back East where their ministry had led them in the past, and they still had many friends. She loved being with her grandchildren. When they were all babies, she would rock them and sing them Jesus Loves Me. All babies were her special love. She did a wonderful job of showing her children and grandchildren the model of a Christian and Godly woman. In March of 2022, the love of her life after 62 years of marriage made his journey to heaven. This was a great loss for her. They had spent so many years walking side by side through all the ups and downs that life brought. Throughout it all, their love for each other and the Lord carried them through. They had a beautiful family and a full life together, full of love and spreading the love of Jesus. She was loved fiercely by her children and the family that she and Ronald created. The two of them are reunited again, spending eternity together with their Lord. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Bonita Thiessen and son Nathan Dewayne of Washita. Her grandchildren Justin Thiessen and wife Michelle of Edmond, OK, Johnathan Thiessen and his wife Lindsey of Binger, OK, Katharina Sells and husband Brandon of Carnegie, Jalantha Thiessen and Mike Apfel of Terre Haute, IN, Joseph Sadler of Washita, OK, and Jackelyn and Zachary Hawkins of OK. Great Grandchildren Alexander and Samantha of Edmond, OK, Peytn, Mckenzi, and Brayden Thiessen of Binger, OK, Austin Thiessen of Terre Haute, IN, Macey Miller, OK, Joshua and Briar, OK. Malcus, Katelynn, Tyler, Coed, and Kenneth Sells of Carnegie, OK. Mickayla Sells and future great-great granddaughter Katie of Louisiana. Great-great grandchildren Roseland Sells, Mavis Thiessen, Luka and soon to be grandson John- due in June. She took her final trip to heaven on May 19th of 2026 at 85 years. She is preceded in death (or waiting in heaven to greet her) by her husband Ronald Gene Thiessen, her parents, Brother Clyde and wife Fern WIlliams, her sister Imogene and husband Paul Fuller, Sisters-in-law Pat Thiessen, Susan Thiessen, and Connie Thiessen, and Great granddaughter Amy Sells. Visitation will be held Monday, May 25, 2026, from 5 PM - 8 PM at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 1 PM, at the Verden Lighthouse Church. She will be laid to rest following the service at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

Juanita Ruthdea Thiessen

February 6, 1941 - May 19, 2026

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