Nicholas Dan Thiessen, 68, of Bakersfield, California went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 1st, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Dan was born on May 27, 1946 in Wasco, California to Jim and Alvina Thiessen. Dan was a graduate of Wasco High School and Tabor College (Hillsboro, KS). On August 9, 1969 he married Carolyn Derksen from St. Catherines Ontario who he met at Tabor College. Dan had a passion for Christ as well as a lifelong love for football and coaching. He began his coaching and teaching career at Immanuel High School in Reedley, California and went on to coach and teach at Garces High School (Bakersfield, CA) and Bakersfield Christian High School (Bakersfield, CA). He also coached at the collegiate level at McPherson College (McPherson, KS) and Tabor College (Hillsboro, KS). Dan spent his free time watching football and other sports, gardening, working on house projects, drinking coffee and spending time with his friends, family, children and grandchildren. Dan is survived by his wife Carolyn, son Nate Thiessen, daughter Nikki Hiebert (and husband Darrin), brother Frank Thiessen, sister Bonnie Hooge (and husband Paul), grandchildren Zachary, Breanna and Cade Hiebert, niece Tracy Valdivia (and family) and many loving extended family members. Dan was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, coach and friend to all. A graveside funeral service will be held at Shafter Memorial Park Cemetery, 18662 Santa Fe Way, Shafter, CA on Thursday, November 6th at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Young Life Kern County, P.O. Box 2657, Bakersfield, CA 93303. The family would like to thank Hoffmann Hospice for their many months of compassionate care.