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Lorene “Rusty” Alde Thiesen, 102, of Reedley, CA, passed away on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, after a full life of trust in her Lord Jesus. Rusty, daughter of Jacob and Minnie Cornelsen, was born at Collinsville, OK, on July 27, 1922. She accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of 9. Three years later, (during the Dust Bowl) she moved to Reedley, CA, with her parents, brothers Herb and Jonas, and sister Eva, where she was baptized and received as a member into the Reedley M. B. Church. She graduated from Reedley High School in 1940 where she continued her studies at Reedley Junior College. For 2.5 years she was employed with Reedley Junior College, and during this time became conscious of the fact that Christ was calling her into overseas missions. She then attended Westmont College in Los Angeles for 1 year. From 1945-48 she studied at Tabor College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She served as a Physical Education Instructor and Supervisor of the girls team at Tabor. In 1949, Rusty & Erven married in the Reedley M.B. Church. Rusty and Erven went on to have 3 children, Robert Carroll Thiesen, the late Gerald Clyde Thiesen, and Elaine Claire Mings. The Reedley M. B. Church ordained and sent Rusty and Erven in October of 1950 to run the orphanage “Lar das Crianças” in Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. There are many more adopted ”children” that called Rusty “mâe” (Mom) as she not only cared for them and loved on them, but in doing so, she shared with them the love of Jesus. After 33 years in the mission field, Rusty returned to various jobs and then retired and spent her time volunteering at Nearly New Shop in Reedley, CA. Rusty was predeceased in death by her husband, Erven Alfred Thiesen; her son, Gerald Clyde Thiesen; and her parents, Jacob & Minnie Cornelsen. She is survived by her oldest son, Robert Thiesen & his wife, Dawn; her daughter, Elaine Mings & her husband, Steve; her daughter-in-law, Carol Thiesen; her grandchildren, Tanya Reddin, Joshua Thiesen, Ashley Ross, Josiah Thiesen, Caleb Thiesen, Stephanie Fujimojo, Cori McCook, and Stephen Menzies; great-grandchildren, Jasper Reddin, Emerald Colvin, Amethyst Reddin, Jacinth Reddin, Isaiah Reddin, Cosette Thiesen, Javin Ross, Abigail Thiesen, Cyrus Ross, Kimiko Fujimoto, Talia McCook, and Everett Thiesen; plus MANY children who were under her care at the orphanage in Brazil. Visitation will be Oct. 21 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Chapel of the Light Funeral Home, Fresno, CA. Private graveside services will be at Reedley Cemetery. A funeral service will be held in the Chapel at Palm Village, Reedley, on Oct. 22 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Palm Village, the retirement community Rusty spent 26 years getting the utmost care. To make a donation online follow this link: Palm Village Retirement Community (4agc.com)

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Lorene "Rusty" Alde Thiesen

July 27, 1922 - September 23, 2024