PAUL H. THIESSEN

Paul H. Thiessen, 72, died very unexpectedly of an aneurysm Tuesday, September 21, 1999 at Providence Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska.

A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall, 2301 Strawberry Road in Anchorage on Saturday, September 25, 1999. Long time friend and local minister, Richard Baker, will preside.

Paul was born April 3, 1927 in Gaza, IA. He took his bride, Alice Solheim, November 30, 1954 in Sioux City, IA. They moved to Poplar Bluff, Mo., where their only child, Jeffrey, was born in 1955. They lived there until 1960 when they moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo. In 1968 they fulfilled Paul's lifelong dream to settle in Alaska, moving to Ketchikan, where they lived for 12 years before relocating to Anchorage in 1980.

Paul was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1951 and served in various capacities of oversight for 44 years. He came to Anchorage in 1979 to serve at the Alaska Branch of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, an assignment he enjoyed until his death.

Paul worked as a builder and masonry contractor until his retirement in 1989. in recent years he has been known to many as the Carpet Express Man. His skill as a craftsman was greatly appreciated, especially helping in the construction of quickly built Kingdom Halls in Alaska and the Yukon Territory.

He endeared himself to many by spending much time sharing his Bible knowledge and abilities helping others to have a relationship with their Creator, Jehovah God. Whether working secularly or in the ministry, he endeared himself to many through his compassion and humor. He loved Alaska. His travels in the ministry and recreationally took him to all parts of the state. He had a wide range of interests including fishing, gardening, collecting nautical treasures and Alaskan artifacts, reciting Robert Service poetry, reading and sharing the north country tales of author, James Hendryx and challenging anyone who came around to a game of cribbage. His smoked salmon was "legendary" and he always sent some back home with anyone who visited. He and Alice entertained many friends from around the world and shared with them the Alaskan experience.

They were also known for their many gatherings which often included a sing-a-long ending with "Those Were the Days My Friend, We Thought They'd Never End..." His confidence was that, even if his days should end prematurely in this old system of things, he would be resurrected to a beautiful earthly paradise soon to be a reality made possible through the ransom sacrifice of God's son, Jesus Christ.

Paul was unique. For old and young alike, he had the knack of making you feel like you were "the one". The amazing thing was that he could remember and would recall with each individual their personal "code of communication," perhaps a special nickname, a certain phrase or look, or a standing joke between them.

Survivors include his wife, Alice of Anchorage; his son and his wife, Jeff and Melanie Thiessen of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; grandchildren, Tasha and Jordan of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Carl and Blanche Thiessen of Spencer, IA,; Danny and Barbara Thiessen of Escondido, Calif.; Richard and Sally Thiessen of Brooklyn, NY.; sisters Helma Kuske, of Escondido, Calif.; Penny Thiessen of Denver, Colo.; Magdalene and Bob Lucas of Sioux City, IA. He had so many nieces, including Deborah Jennings of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and nephews whom he loved so dearly as well as numerous friends from all over the world.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to "Watchtower" at 2552 E 48th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99507 and labeled "disaster relief fund."