Pastor Arlyn Leroy Thielenhaus, 80, passed away Aug. 30, 2023, at Via Christ St. Francis, Wichita, Kan. He was born Aug. 3, 1943, in Hays, Kan. to Elmer and Lena (Niedenthal) Thielenhaus. Arlyn married Carol Ray, then later married Janice (Verna) Winter Dec. 5, 1981, in Great Bend, Kan.  

Arlyn grew up on a farm six miles northeast of Bison, Kan. In 1876 Arlyn’s Great Grandfather homesteaded a quarter of land that Arlyn farms to this day. Arlyn’s dad and mom were both school teachers before they moved to the farm in the late 1930’s. Arlyn began his education in a one room country school six miles north of Bison, and then in the sixth grade, moved to Bison to complete his elementary and high school education.  

After graduating from Bison High School in 1961, Arlyn attended Sterling College in Sterling, Kan. and received a BA degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. From there he moved on to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where in 1969, he received his Master of Divinity Degree in Theology. From there he served churches in South Dakota, Canada, California, and Kansas. In 1977 he completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. Then in 1978, Arlyn completed his PHD at the California Graduate School of Theology.

Pastor Arlyn, a longtime resident of Great Bend, was the founding Pastor of Fellowship of Faith Church, where he was currently serving. Previously, Pastor Arlyn was the founding Sr. Pastor of Grace Community Church, Great Bend; Sr. Pastor of Alambra Baptist Church, Alambra, Calif.; Sr. Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Sr. Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Parkston, S. D. With a servant’s heart, Arlyn faithfully served on the board of directors of Bison State Bank, Midstate COOP, and Almost Home, LLC.

Survivors include wife, Janice Thielenhaus, of the home; four sons, Tim Thielenhaus (Evelyn) of Novato, Calif., Mark Thielenhaus (Michelle) of Lodi, Calif., Sean Winter of Wichita, Ryan Winter (Lesli) of San Clemente, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Emily Thielenhaus, Crystal Thielenhaus, Bryden Thielenhaus, Chantel Thielenhaus, Madison Winter, Jade Winter, Grace Winter, Kate Winter; one brother, Pastor John Thielenhaus (Jane) of Norton, Ohio; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Heartland Community Church, Great Bend, with Pastor John Thielenhaus and Pastor Troy Miller presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to Live Like Jesus Today Ministries or Fellowship of Christian Athletes, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS  67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Rd.

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 2, 2023