Rachel Alma Thiessen, 80, of Warren, IN, passed away at 6:05 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN. She was born in Charlotte, NC, on Saturday, July 25, 1942, to Llew and Alma (Orr) Cordle. June 17, 1967, she married Willis D. Thiessen who preceded her in 2016.
Alma graduated from Myers Park High School and received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish education at UNC Greensboro and studied at Columbia Bible College (Columbia International University).
Alma worked as a Spanish teacher for seven years with Kings Academy, Jonesboro, IN, retiring in 2016. She was a member of Upland Community Church. Alma was on the mission field with Wycliffe Bible Translators in the jungles of Ecuador in the early part of her career. She served as a pastor's wife and was a high school Spanish teacher for over 30 years. She was involved at church with many women's Bible studies, a co-host of her church family group, and volunteered at the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Marion, IN. She enjoyed water aerobics, working puzzles, and being with family, and was an avid tennis fan.
Survivors include her daughters Tammie (Ben) Huntington of Marion, IN, and Grace (Wes) Johnson of Kent, WA; sons Alan Thiessen of Forest, VA, and John (Jana) Thiessen of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren Rett Huntington, Austin (Mickey) Huntington, Caleb Huntington, Nakita Huntington, Seth Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Anna Johnson, Ariella Johnson, Lydia Johnson, Cinda Thiessen, Brylee Thiessen; brother Robert (Casey) Cordle of Charlotte, NC; twin sister Anne (Rick) Doughty of Charlotte, NC; and sister, Laura (Jimmy) Miller of Mooresville, NC.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother Thomas (Shiela) Cordle, Jr.
The family will receive visitors from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Upland Community Church, 439 West Berry Avenue, Upland, IN. Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Alma's life will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Mick Simpkins officiating. Inurnment will take place at Grant Memorial Park at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 or the Crisis Pregnancy Center, 319 East 2nd Street, Marion, IN.
