Pete R. Wiebe

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

PETE R. WIEBE
Oct. 21, 1933-Feb. 16, 2017

Pete R. Wiebe, age 83, of Bridgepark Manor, Steinbach, MB, passed away peacefully into the Heavenly Father’s presence on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him and ultimately gave him peace.

Our dad was born to Peter and Suzanna Wiebe on Oct. 21, 1933 in Rosenfeld and grew up on a mixed farm with his parents and two brothers, Ed and Henry. At the age of 16, the family moved to Blumenhof to pursue farming there. Growing up, he loved to swim in the dugout on his yard, had a love for creation, and a passion for playing sports. He played hockey for the Blumenhof team, and was in high demand and pitched for four baseball teams at once.

He met the love of his life, Mary, on the skating rink in Blumenhof at the age of 17. Recently, Dad said when he set his eyes on Mary, he knew she was the girl for him. Their best dates were holding hands and skating together. On Oct. 24, 1954, Dad and Mom were married at the Blumenort Church and moved into an upstairs suite for $15 a month.

Dad worked for the Hadashville Fire Department fighting forest fires, as well as assisting his father-in-law and brothers-in-law with the start-up of A.K. Penner and Sons. He faithfully partnered along and continued building up the company until 1967, when he sold his portion of the business but continued to manage the forestry division, a position he held until retirement in 1992. At this time, Dad and Mom started a golf cart, scooter, and travel trailer sales business. They both loved the years they worked at this together, making many trips to scout out and buy golf carts, scooters, and trailers all over North America to sell locally.

Between the years of 1956 and 1972, Dad and Mom were blessed with six children: Terry, Don, Debby, Sandy, Sherri, and Merle. They lived in Blumenhof, Steinbach, and Blumenort communities the years they raised their family. Dad and Mom moved to Bridgepark Manor in Steinbach 3½ years ago as caring for a home and yard was becoming increasingly difficult for the both of them.

Dad had a quiet, steady faith in God. Our family was blessed by the daily suppertime routine of reading The Daily Bread, and his bedtime routine of kneeling to pray at his bedside, lifting the concerns of his heart to the Lord. Serving in the church was always important to Dad and something he encouraged his children to pursue as well. Dad and Mom were involved with the start-up of Blumenort Church’s Children’s Bible Camp in Portage la Prairie. Dad enjoyed camp work, spear-heading the church’s sponsorship of Vietnamese and Afghan refugees, serving many years as church secretary/treasurer, and teaching the young teen boys Sunday School for numerous years.

Dad always had a big heart for mission work. Dad and Mom spent many vacations volunteering their time in Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, St Petersburg, FL, Raleigh, NC, Tucson, AZ, and Leamington, ON. Dad was quick to support anyone who went on missions, whether it was his children, grandchildren, or people from the church. The country closest to Dad’s heart was Haiti. Their nephew, Stan Wiebe, began a mission in Haiti which later became Hearts and Hands for Haiti. They loved going to Haiti to visit Stan and the mission. Dad and Mom were also sponsors of children from Haiti and Africa.

His keen interest in communications and electronics started at an early age when he and his best friend, Abe Hiebert, created a crystal set to communicate with each other the half mile distance between their houses, set up along the fence posts. This interest grew over the years into a CB radio hobby.

Dad was dedicated and loyal to his career at South East Forest Products. He had a phone on the wall beside his bed and spent many evenings and nights taking calls from his truckers. Living beside the business made for quick access to the kiln, office, and yard, day or night. All six of his children were employed at one time or another at the business in their teen years, whether in the office or in the sawmill.

Our childhood years were filled with wonderful memories of family vacations. Some included road trips to Florida, St Louis, Montreal, and Vancouver. Usually there were a few weekend getaways each winter across the border. There were many camping trips near and far, but for years the family went camping and boating in Detroit Lakes for two weeks each summer. Another favourite camping and boating place was Betula Lake. Dad loved his holiday time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed driving the boat from morning to night with only a short break to eat. Dad drove the boat and Mom prayed from the shore.

Dad had romance in his heart and a twinkle in his eye. He loved buying Mom flowers for her birthday, anniversary, and most special occasions. His last gift to her was this Valentine’s Day, the day before he went into the hospital. He arranged for Merle to pick up a watch for Mom for Valentine’s Day which he presented to Mom. As we were looking at family pictures the past few days, we were warmed to see many photos of Dad with his arm tucked around Mom, which was something he couldn’t do as easily in his later years, due to Parkinson’s.

Dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 17 years ago. He wasn’t known to complain and adapted and found ways to problem solve with each new challenge. Dad kept pushing to keep his independence and dignity until the very end.

When Dad's grandson, Graham, died at 9 years of age, Dad found it very hard. But now we rejoice that they are both in heaven together. We have visions of Graham showing him around heaven and of them running together.

He is survived by his beloved wife Mary, and their two sons and four daughters: Terry and Erna Wiebe, Don and Brandi Wiebe, Deb and Craig Will, Sandy and Mark Plett, Sherri and Wes Siemens, Merle and Kyle Plett and their families; 26 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Suzanna Wiebe, brothers Ed and Henry Wiebe, three infant siblings, and grandson Graham Siemens.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. at Blumenort Evangelical Mennonite Church with interment at the Blumenort EMC Cemetery. A memorial and time of sharing was held on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Bridgepark Manor Chapel at 330 Stonebridge Crossing, Steinbach.

As Dad's heart was always for the mission work in Haiti, donations may be made in his memory to Childcare International (Hearts and Hands for Haiti), 204-5460 152nd Street, Surrey, BC, V3S 5J9.

Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel
1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.

As published in The Carillon on Feb 22, 2017