With sorrow and gratitude in our hearts for a loving husband, father, and grandfather, we announce that Walter Gerhard Thielmann, 89, departed this earth peacefully on May 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Walter was known by family, friends, former colleagues and students as a loving and patient man, always calm, often funny, and a source of wisdom and compassion. Walter is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ruth, his children Heather (John), Donna (Chris), Glen (Kate), his grandchildren Matthew (Cindy), Aaron, Anna (Cole), Michael, Joshua (Natalie), Luthien, and Finn, as well as his siblings Herta and Betty. Walter is predeceased by his parents, and his siblings Ervin, Victor, Elma, Margaret, and George.
Walter was born April 11, 1936 in Bassano, Alberta to George and Agnes (Toews) Thielmann, the eldest of their eight children. Their family lived on farms in Gem, and then Namaka, Alberta, with some very lean years during the Great Depression. In 1947 they moved to Chilliwack, BC where the children grew up on a dairy farm on Chilliwack Central Road.
Before his career as a teacher, Walter held many interesting jobs: hop and berry picking, working at a rock quarry, delivering pop in the Fraser Valley, cable-logging at Ruby Creek near what is now Sasquatch Provincial Park, working in the kitchen at the Harrison Hotel, a porter on the CPR from Vancouver to Winnipeg, and a morgue attendant in Ashcroft.
Walter completed normal school and later his degree in English and Geography from UBC. He first taught in Ashcroft, and then returned to the Fraser Valley to propose to his sweetheart Ruth Enns, whom he married in 1960. Together, they went north to begin their adventure together and start a family. Walter taught, and they lived, in Grassy Plains, Whitehorse, and Prince George before returning to the Fraser Valley for a few years. Living briefly in North Vancouver and then in Abbotsford, Walter completed a Master’s degree, taught at D.W. Poppy in Langley, and was a faculty associate at Simon Fraser University.
Finding that they had left their heart in Northern BC, Walter and Ruth returned to stay in 1975, moving into the well-known big white house at the end of Patricia Blvd in Prince George.
Walter taught at many local high schools and district programs, including the Occupational Program at Connaught Junior. He could be seen riding his bike all over town looking for employment for his students. Walter finished his career as a counsellor and geography teacher at Prince George Secondary, with fond memories of his International Baccalaureate students.
Walter and Ruth both enjoyed hosting company and guests, and were both master gardeners and meticulous landscapers; Walter could often be seen out in the vegetable garden while Ruth tended to the flowers. They were also key contributors to the Westwood Mennonite Brethren Church in Prince George through leadership, music, flowers, bible studies, prayer, and nurturing the church community through friendship, service, and their abiding faith.
Walter loved spending time with others in nature, including canoeing, fishing, skiing (downhill and XC), or even just picking saskatoons on the boulevard. He jogged for many years with our dog Barney, and either walked or biked to work for most of his career. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and took them for walks or out for treats any chance he got. He loved making new friends, but also taking care of strangers, so when Walter retired from teaching in 1995 he transitioned full-time to managing the Bedford Place Bed and Breakfast, which he and Ruth ran until the Covid pandemic.
Walter, already a great cook, dazzled guests with his spectacular breakfasts, strong coffee, and warm conversation.
Over the last few years Walter lost his mobility and experienced health setbacks, and increasingly relied on Ruth for care, but we find comfort in knowing that his hardships have ended and he is now at peace.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:1-2
A memorial service will be held for Walter Thielmann on June 21, 2025, 1pm, at Westwood MB Church, 2658 Ospika Blvd S., Prince George BC, V2N 2L8.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine (mennonitecentre.ca).