Alfred Thiessen

So, thank you Father,

That You’ve rode along,

For I’ve found You in the stories,

And I’ve found You in the songs,

And that yesterday’s heroes

Helped show me the way,

To ride to tomorrows while living today.

(The Trail: by Bryn Thiessen)

Alfred Lawrence Thiessen was born on January 14, 1931, at Greenfarm, SK to Peter J. & Elizabeth Thiessen, the middle of three sons. The family lived in the Greenfarm School District just south of the town of Herbert, SK. 

Alf was a young lad growing up on the prairies during the Depression years. It was a difficult time for the Thiessens, as it was for many farming families of the day, and he often spoke of how resourceful his parents had to be to provide for three boys in addition to looking after the farm on a meager income.  Luckily, the young Thiessen boys were allowed to go to the movies in town on Saturday afternoons to watch their cowboy heroes, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Tom Mix, vanquish their foes with six guns and songs. It was a good distraction from the troubles of the real world, which soon included the privations of the Second World War.

Alf attended the Greenfarm school up to 8th grade and completed grades 9 and 10 by correspondence.  He found school a challenge, not because he struggled with the work but because the work did not challenge him, and he was often bored. When asked what his favourite subject was, he always said, “recess”. His athletic abilities enabled him to excel on Sports Days and earn first place in many events.

After completing his education, Alf worked on the family farm with his dad. He also worked as a ranch hand for a neighbour and friend, Jacob (Tiny) Toews. Tiny recognized the potential Alf had for working with horses and cattle and he encouraged him to harness his talents by swinging a rope and throwing a loop. A passion was ignited that would last a lifetime.

As a young man, Alf joined the local rodeo circuit which included Swift Current Frontier Days, Clearwater Lake, and others. He spent hours practicing tie down roping in a home-made arena that was cobbled together from old fence posts and lumber that was no longer useful on the farm.

In 1952 while visiting a friend, he met a beautiful young lady and two years later Alf married Alvina Block. She would be the love of his life for 71 years. The couple lived on the same yard as his folks in a little house that was a refurbished school. They were baptized together early on in their marriage.

In 1957, Alf won enough prize money to take out a “pro” card which allowed him to enter more rodeos around the country. Another prize arrived on Father’s Day June 1958 when their daughter, Wendy Christine, was born. Time spent doing farm work, putting up hay, harvesting, and other farm chores was interrupted by continuous practice, roping, tying, and horse training. Alf was beginning to develop a reputation for having some of the best trained mounts on the circuit and other cowboys sought out this expertise. 

 In April of 1963 the Easter Bunny delivered a son, Darren Russell, to add to the family. In 1964, Alf’s parents built a house in town and the small family moved across the yard into the larger home that was now vacated. 

 Alf competed in at least 15 rodeos a year and at one time ranked third in Canada in tie down roping. His travels led him to various parts of the prairies and included three trips to compete at the Calgary Stampede. The relationships he fostered on the rodeo circuit would last him a lifetime and his clean- living lifestyle was a testimony to many. In 1970, his father, Peter J. Thiessen, passed away after a serious farm accident and Alf was on his own to run the farm. With the help from family, friends, and neighbours, he managed to keep up with the work and continue to follow his passion for rodeo. He held a Pro rodeo card (CPRA) and an amateur card (CCA) and was an inaugural member of the Herbert Stampede Association for a number of years. 

Time was marked by horses, cattle, rodeos, and round ups in the years that followed. As a young boy, Alf’s enthusiasm for the equine species led him to develop a hobby of drawing and sketching. He called it ‘doodling’ and many recipe books and church hymnals would reveal evidence of his attempts at artwork.  In his retirement years he enjoyed spending many quality hours at his sketching table in his downstairs den. His art can be seen displayed in many homes of family and friends. 

Alf also enjoyed playing team sports. He played fastball for the Herbert Wheat Kings, and his “orthodox” pitching style became the demise of many batters at the plate. In a tournament in Swift Current in 1978, Alf won the MVP trophy. His pitching anchored another Herbert team in a local league for several years.  He threw his cleats away at least three times but retrieved them when the voices of the Boys of Spring spoke to him repeatedly and he was finally able to play on a team together with Darren.

Alf worked for many years as the caretaker at the local skating rink and met and influenced many young lives in this arena. He also worked with the youth as leader of the Herbert 4H Light Horse Club in the 60’s and 70”s teaching horsemanship, equine health, and safety. He had a gift for mentoring young people with patience and good humour but also had high expectations and a no-nonsense style. 

In 1980 Alf & Alvina moved into town permanently to their lovely home on Shaw Street. They were blessed with good neighbours and many friends and took part in activities at the New Horizon’s Hall which enriched their lives. Alf enjoyed meeting with friends on coffee row even if the topic of conversation sometimes sparked controversy.

 In the fall of 2024 Alf & Alvina asked their children whether they would help them move to the Prairie Wind Estates at the west end of town. Although it was an adjustment for both, the care and support they received there played a large part in making this change a success. 

In late December of this past year, Alf fell and seriously fractured his hip which led to a long hospital stay and a permanent move to the Herbert Nursing Home. For a man who had spent his life inspired by nature and the outdoors, animals, and friends, this struggle proved to be overwhelming. Alf rode peacefully into the sunset on Thursday, March 26, 2026 surrounded by family whispering names of loved ones and ponies that he would soon meet in paradise.  

Alf was not a preacher, but he was a ‘pray-er’ and his life was his sermon. He loved his family deeply and was very thankful for all his friends. Alf was predeceased by his parents, Peter J. & Elizabeth Thiessen; his brother & sister-in-law, Walter & Wilma Thiessen; and by a sister-in-law, Elsie [Clancy] Thiessen. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Alvina; his daughter, Wendy (Russell) Mitchell; his son, Darren

(Karilyn)Thiessen; his granddaughter, Kaylee (Ethan); a brother, Clarence Thiessen; and many beloved nephews and nieces.

Link below for Alfred Thiessens Service 

Alfred Thiessen Service

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