Glenn Dean Thiessen

Glenn Dean Thiessen was born to Carl Dean & Lola Eleanor Thiessen on October 30, 1956, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For the first 8 years of his life, he lived with his parents and sister, Elaine on his grandparents "homestead" - the dairy farm where his father had lived and worked since 1935, located near Owasso, Oklahoma. The family worshipped at the Mennonite Brethren Church located at the "German Corner" between Owasso and Collinsville. He attended his first two years of school at Owasso elementary. In 1964, the family moved to a new home in Verdigris, Oklahoma. He attended school at Verdigris from 3rd through 8th grade. After his 8th grade graduation in 1970, he went on to finish his high school years at Claremore, graduating in 1974. During his junior high years he played football, and in high school he was involved in the Select choir, drama, German club, Chess club, Future Teachers and Future Business Leaders clubs. Upon graduation, he received a music scholarship to attend the Mennonite school in Hillsboro, Kansas, Tabor College. He attended Tabor his freshman year, but, he chose not to continue his education at that time. He later attended Tulsa Community College, Jacksonville Seminary in Florida, and Victory Bible Institute over an extended period of years.

Most of his career was spent on outside sales for the office equipment industry, mostly being the Marketing Representative for companies such as SAVIN, RISO, RICHO Corp and ATT. For a period of years in the early 90's, he owned his own business, 'Office Equipment Brokers'. His place of residence varied over the years from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Dallas, Texas and even for a time in Florida. He finally resettled in the Tulsa area in the early 2000's. He attended a number of Sales and Marketing training courses such as Thom Hopkins, and Zig Ziglar. With some of the companies, he even participated in coordinating and promoting their products through special events and trade shows. He won numerous awards such as Salesman of the month, Regional Sales award (12 states), and Salesman of the year. One of those awards included a trip to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Island in the Caribbean. Once he settled in the Tulsa area, he began working with The Mental Health Association in Tulsa, working as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist. His work included the Customer Service Assistance line, coordinating meetings and services for clients, assisting in transportation for clients, and helping in other areas with non-profits and charitable organizations.

On a personal note, Glenn loved being involved with his church. Over the years, he attended the MB church in Collinsville; Parkside MB church in Tulsa; Tulsa Christian Fellowship; Community Outreach Center in Dallas and finally Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During those years, he would often sing in the various choirs. During his high school years at Parkside Mennonite church, he was very involved with MBY (Mennonite Brethren Youth). For a couple of summers, he went singing with their Travel Camp group from various MB churches. He was very compassionate towards others in need. He would often give others his last dollar, his car, or anything he owned because he felt they needed it more than he did. While in Dallas, he volunteered with Metro Ministries to serve the homeless; in Tulsa, he volunteered at the Tulsa Dream Center & the Mental Health Association in serving the homeless population. God blessed him with gifts of singing, unbelievable memory, the ability to share the Gospel and intercessory prayer, especially for his family. It had been mentioned that he could have had a career as a singer and/or preacher. He often was prophetic and ministered to people everywhere he went.

Glenn is survived by his sister; Elaine (husband John I. Blair IV); brother, Karl Dwayne Thiessen; His nieces and nephews are John Blair (wife Carrie), Cherie Nicholson (husband Andy); Brittney Bishop (husband Jason); Rachel, Jordan & Josh Thiessen. Great-Nieces and nephews are Bailey, Ben, Bradley Blair; David-James & Faith-Anna Nicholson; Parker, Ty, Chase , Eleanor Bishop; Alexander Hoosier.

Glenn is preceded in death by parents, Carl Dean and Lola Eleanor Thiessen, all grandparents and numerous Aunts and Uncles from both sides of his family.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service & Cremation Care. Family and friends may send memories and condolences to the family at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com