JAMES PETER WIEBE

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JAMES PETER WIEBE Peacefully, after a lengthy illness, on the morning of April 21, 2017 James Peter Wiebe (Jim) passed away, surrounded by family. Jim was born on September 10, 1940 in Altona, Manitoba and was raised on a family homestead in Plum Coulee. At the age of 16, Jim left Plum Coulee to move to Winnipeg to take a job at Marshall Wells. While at Marshall Wells, Jim met the love of his life, Sylvia, on a dare. That dare turned into a loving marriage that produced a large, happy family. Jim was a hardworking man who worked for 43 years at Sears and Reimer Express. He worked every day from sun up until sun down to support his family. His strength and can-do attitude and determination had him fondly known as "Rambo" by his co-workers. Jim was a larger than life, kind-hearted, funny and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. As a husband, Jim was a kind, caring, compassionate man who loved his wife more than anything. During his final days his greatest concern was who would care for his Sylvia and how he could make this easier on her. The love in his eyes was evident to the end and he passed holding her hand. Jim was an amazing father, who was always tender, loving and kind. We could turn to our father for anything: advice when direction was needed, a hug when he figured that would help, or a joke when he thought a laugh would be best. He always told us how proud he was of all of us and a day never went by without an "I love you". As a grandpa, his role became even more important, and the joy each and every grandchild brought to his life was evident by the smile that formed each time they were near. He had fun teasing them all, from crazy nicknames, to telling them to go play in the middle of Portage Avenue (they never realized there was a boulevard there). His greatest joy became his great-grandchildren, his face lit up like the sun each time they were around. Even during his sickest moments, they brought him joy and could always extract a half smile and nod of his head. Jim had a wonderful life, never too busy to help shovel a neighbour's snow, or cut their grass. He enjoyed daily walks to Tim's to have coffee with the girls, yet be home to cook a meal for he and his wife or whomever was over for a visit. Coffee, Pepsi, Peppermints and Ketchup were Dad's favourite things, along with a good meal of liver and onions or sauerkraut and pork hocks! "Nothing but the finest," he'd say. Though Dad's last years were wrought with sickness he never complained. We sadly watched our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather disappear from the strong, large man we knew to a shell of himself. During his illness he never had a negative word for anyone. He thanked us all for each visit to his hospital room, always had kind words for the nurses who cared for him, and was grateful for each coffee or Pepsi brought to his room. He even learned to enjoy hockey on TV once in a while. Though we will miss him dearly, we know he is finally at rest. Jim will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia; his children Dorothy, Laurie (Les), Pam (Denis), Brent (Amee) and Stacey (Terry); his 17 grandchildren Annette, Ashley, Cederic, Becky, Amanda, Braidy, Pascal, Nate, Jenel, Parker, Hunter, Max, Cole, Noah, Sam, Bradin and Bayleigh; and his four great-grandchildren, Lianne, Conner, Robyn and Norah. He will also be missed by his mother Anne, and his brother Brian. He was predeceased by his father Peter, stepfather Joe, brother Roy, sisters Nancy and Violet, and by his mother-in-law and father-in-law Dorothy and Jack White, and his grandson Braidy. Jim's celebration of life will be held on April 29, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's Anglican Church, 2700 Portage Avenue. In memory of Jim, please wear plaid! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Cancer Care Manitoba or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "And then we ease him out of that worn-out body with a kiss, he's gone like a whisper, the easiest breath." For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 204-885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 26, 2017