ANNA WIEBE (BERGEN) -

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ANNA WIEBE (BERGEN) 1922 - 2007 After a long and full life Anna Wiebe (Bergen) passed away on Monday, April 16, 2007 at Concordia Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Rev. Jakob Wiebe; her brothers, Victor, Abram, and Gerhard Bergen; her sister Katie Klassen; her brother-in-law Gerhard Epp; her father and mother, Abram and Anna Bergen; and a great- grandchild Quinlan Wiebe. She leaves to mourn and celebrate her life a large family: sons, Alfred (Willy Slipetz), Gerhard (Lois Goertzen), Theodor (Carol), Ernst (Lynette), Jakob (Shirley), John (Toni), Carl (Lois Klassen); daughter Annegret Layer (Robert); grandchildren, Ben Wiebe (Kyla), Naomi Duncan (Michael), Johnathan Weier (Jennifer Holmes), Anna Weier, Jason Wiebe (Dayna McIsaac), Michael Wiebe (Katherine), Rebecca Harder (Matthew), David Wiebe (Andrea), Daniel Wiebe (Erin), Reginald Wiebe, Stephan Wiebe (Kaylyn), Theodor Wiebe, Flora Wiebe, Anthony Wiebe, Terrence Wiebe (Melanie), Calvin Eisner, T.J. Layer, Brian Layer, Ernst Wiebe, and Wyndham Wiebe; great-grandchildren, Constance McMahon- Wiebe, Maxwell Wiebe, Madeleine McIsaac, Sebastian McIsaac, Adaelia Wiebe, Chloe Wiebe and B.J. Wiebe (born just before Mama passed away); sister Maria Epp and her family; and brothers-in-law, Otto Klassen and his family, and Alfred Wiebe and his family in Germany. Our mother was born in a tumultuous time in Kronsgarten in the Ukraine or Soviet Union as it was then called. She lost her father when she was five years old. At age 17 years, another calamity that shaped her life happened. She lost her way in a snowstorm as she came home from school to visit her friend (Dad) for the New Year's Celebrations. The result was that she had her right leg amputated below the knee as well as the toes and heel of the other leg. To her and our father's credit this did not stop the romance and in the middle of the horrors of the war they got married in 1942 and joined the retreating German armies into Poland and the Czech Republic where their first son was born in 1944, and the second son was born in 1947 on the ship while sailing to the jungles of Paraguay to start a new life. The next four sons were born in Paraguay before the family was able to emigrate to Canada in 1956. Here a daughter (finally) and another son were born. In spite of all the difficulties encountered in opening up virgin territory in the bush in Paraguay, Mom and Dad never lost their belief in a merciful God and Saviour. Dad was selected to serve in the ministry and Mother made his work possible by working in the home and looking after the ever-growing family. She cooked, kept the dirt floors of the house clean, sewed and washed the clothes, and nurtured the children. Although life was much easier in Canada, it was still very difficult since Dad as the only wage earner had to supply the finances to feed the family and pay the travel debt. Considering that dad spend many hours on church work at North Kildonan Mennonite Church as well as working overtime whenever possible, Mom looked after the family needs at home. Whereas we might want to emphasize the hardships and determination that her early life exemplified, Mom would emphasize the gratefulness that she felt towards God for protecting us and the help that we received from people and organizations. In Paraguay we were helped by the MCC and relatives from Canada, who sent us some money to dig a well on our property. In Canada we were helped by the Mennonite community in North Kildonan. Even though much of her life was defined by her loving relationship with her husband, her family, and her church, she was an amazing woman in her own right. Every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild has received some item of clothing that has been knitted or crocheted by her. This does not include the countless articles she has produced for charities such as the MCC. Every member of the family remembers some extraordinary event in her life. One of her sons took her canoeing and wilderness camping at Quetico for several days when she was well into her 60's. Her daughter took her on a tour of the Ukraine when she was in her 70's. And when one of her sons and his family went to live in Taiwan for two years, she went to visit them and walked up and down the three flights of stairs repeatedly to experience the life in this strange and foreign country. The family would like to thank Concordia Hospital and its dedicated staff for the care they provided the last two weeks. We are especially grateful to Adina Wall from Bethaniahaus who so lovingly provided support and did so many tasks that are nowhere to be found in any job description. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2007 at North Kildonan Mennonite Church, 1131 Roch, St. with viewing prior to the service. Interment to follow in Mennonite Memorial Gardens. O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 107,1) Friends Funeral Services 2146 Main Street 339-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 19, 2007