Thiessen, Jeanne M.

Jeanne M. Thiessen, 84, died peacefully Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 1, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Burial: Coggon Cemetery, Coggon.

Jeanne was born May 5, 1927, near Prairieburg, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary (Casey) McDonell. She attended high school at Mount Mercy Academy in Cedar Rapids, then attended Clarke College for three years and then graduated from the University of Iowa with a teaching degree. Jeanne taught in area schools for 25 years.

On June 20, 1975, she married Marvin Thiessen in Cedar Rapids. He preceded her in death in 1981. Jeanne was a foster parent to many children with disabilities. She was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids.

She is survived by her brother, Richard (Jo Ann) McDonell, of Wenatchee, Wash.; her sister, Helen (Kenny) Barker of Coggon; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John Jr. in World War II and Ronald McDonell; and two sisters, Vera Houlahan and Doris Zalesky.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

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