Br. Wolfgang Thiem, OSB
April 28, 1924 – October 17, 2017

Br. Wolfgang Thiem, OSB, of St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, SK, passed away at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. He was 93 years of age.  Br. Wolfgang was born to Josef and Maria (nee Weinhoeppel) Thiem on April 28, 1924, in Schwab Gmund, Germany. The Second World War was devastating Europe when he graduated from high school.  At the age of 18 he was drafted into the air force and then transferred to an anti-aircraft unit in Germany. At the end of the war, he was taken prisoner by the Americans on Christmas Eve in 1945. He then spent three-and-a-half years as a Prisoner of War working on a farm in France.  Br. Wolfgang came to Canada in 1953, where he joined Voluntas Dei, a secular institute founded by an Oblate priest in Trois Rivieres, Quebec.  In 1971, he spent a few months at the Trappist monastery in Manitoba, and then decided to visit St. Peter’s Abbey. Br. Wolfgang entered the novitiate and made his profession of vows on March 21, 1973. His talents kept him busy in carpentry, masonry and gardening. He was known for the tomatoes he grew in his greenhouse. During his final years, Br. Wolfgang grew sunflowers and harvested the seeds to feed the chickadees in the winter. His favourite winter pastime was cross-country skiing.  He also enjoyed listening to international news and reading about news events on his computer. Br. Wolfgang is survived by the Benedictine Monastic Community of St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster.  He was predeceased by his parents, Josef and Maria (nee Weinhoeppel) Thiem; and by three sisters:  Friedel, Annemie, and Trudi.  The Prayer Service was held on Monday, October 23, 2017, at 7:30 p.m., at Saints Peter and Paul R.C. Church at St. Peter’s Abbey Muenster officiated by Br. Basil Schaan, OSB.  The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., presided by Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB.  Pallbearers were Br. Kurt Van Kuren, OSB, Candidate Edmundo Cruz, Kevin Froelich, Cory Froelich, Jeffrey Froelich, and Chris Froelich.  Interment followed at St. Peter’s Abbey Cemetery, Muenster, SK.  Memorial donations may be directed to Abbey Elder Care, P.O. Box 10, Muenster, SK, S0K 2Y0.

This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)