HENRY WIEBE

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HENRY WIEBE Henry Wiebe was born in Alexandrodar, Kuban Colony, South Russia on October 25, 1919 to Aganeta (nee Goerz) and Jacob Wiebe. He was second youngest of a family of six sons and one daughter, all of whom predeceased him. He was gifted with 96 years and 9 months passing away on August 2, 2016 having lived longer than any of his siblings or parents. In 1925 he immigrated to Canada with his family. They settled first in Gnadental and in 1927 moved to the La Rivière/Manitou district. Henry received his schooling in La Rivière, traveling by horse and wagon with his siblings from the farm to the village school. As a young man Henry enjoyed popular music as evidenced by his collection of Bluebird jazz records and some of the songs he later sang. Henry experienced spiritual awakening through the ministry of Rev. Herman Lentzman and was subsequently baptized on August 23, 1942 together with his brother Jake. He was the oldest, and a lifelong member of the Manitou M.B. Church. His studies at Winkler Bible School were interrupted by his call to service during the Second World War. He served his country by delivering coal in Winnipeg and by working as a lumberjack in Kapuskasing, Ontario. After the war years, he took up farming on his own half section, north east of La Rivière. In the winters he spent time in B.C. helping his sister Susie Konrad with her family of five young children who had lost their father, Henry, to cancer. Through studying by correspondence he received his electrician's license. He participated in the Manitoba Rural Electrification Program, an initiative during the time of Premier Douglas Campbell. Utilizing his new and popular skill, he brought the wonders of electricity to many a farm and home. He enjoyed visiting the many people he met including his future wife, Mary Goertz, of Arnaud. They were married on June 2, 1951, achieving 65 years of married life. Together with their six children they enjoyed life on the farm expanding their farm holdings, leveling land, planting trees, gardening, remodeling and constructing farm buildings. Henry was among the first to become a Registered Seed Grower and a producer of the new crop, canola. He also set up a grain cleaning business that provided winter employment for himself, his sons and others. He took special pleasure in using his natural building skills to provide a new farm home and was also significantly involved in the construction of the Manitou, M.B. Church. He valued education for both his children and grandchildren. During his retirement years he had time to pursue other interests including golfing, photography and reading. He loved to share his books with anyone who was interested. Henry will be remembered by many for his interest in Mennonite history, his generosity, his practical helpfulness, and his dependability. In November of 1999 just after his 80th birthday, Henry and Mary moved to Winnipeg to be closer to family and health care. He had suffered his first heart episode while still on the farm. In Winnipeg they attended Westwood Community Church and were privileged to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. He leaves to mourn his wife, Mary; and six children, Edith Wiebe and (Bert Friesen,), Gerald and (Verna) Wiebe, Doris Wiebe, Ken and (Marg) Wiebe with grandchildren, Jeremy and Delaney, Alvin and (Connie) Wiebe, and Cheryl and (Don) Schmidt along with a large extended family and friends. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2016