Wiebe, Helena Claassen (1882-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jan 3 p. 6

Birth date: 1882 Mar 23

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were conducted at the Emmaus Mennonite church near Whitewater Thursday afternoon, Dec. 27, for Mrs. Helena Wiebe, wife of John D. Wiebe, who died at Bethel Deaconess hospital Dec. 24. She is survived by her husband; one son, Ernest A. of Independence; three daughters. Miss Frieda of the home, Miss Paula, missionary to Uruguay, and Mrs. Emma Busenitz of Whitewater; one brother, three sisters, and nine grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jan 24 p. 9

text of obituary:

HELENA CLAASSEN WIEBE

Mrs. Helena Wiebe, daughter of Eduard and Justina, nee van Riesen, Claassen, was born March 23, 1882, on a farm near Brainerd, Kansas, and departed from this life on Dec. 24, 1951, at the age of 69 years and nine months. During her childhood she attended a district school near Brainerd, but due to her mother’s illness her attendance was often interrupted in order that she might help in the home.

At an early age she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour and was baptized upon confession of faith by Elder Leonard Suderman and remained a faithful member of the Emmaus Mennonite church.

At the age of nine years she had the privilege of making an extended visit to Germany where she spent about six months among relatives.

On October 10, 1901, she was united in marriage to John D. Wiebe. The young couple established their new home on the unbroken prairie one and one-half miles south of Whitewater. In 1905 she fell victim to typhoid fever. Although she was seriously ill for three months the Lord graciously spared her life for her family. Otherwise she seldom spent a day on the sick bed during her fifty years of wedded life.

This union was blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters. Adolf, the eldest, preceded his mother in death in 1905, at the age of three years. This was a grave experience for the young parents. In 1912 the family moved to Whitewater.

In 1926 our father and mother had the privilege of celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary; in 1946 they observed their forty-fifth anniversary in the midst of many relatives and friends.

In September of 1950 it became evident that mother had to undergo a serious operation which later proved her illness to be caused by a malignant growth. She rallied above doctors’ expectations. After several weeks of convalescing she enjoyed quite good health for several months. Gradually, however, her condition became worse.

On October 5 of this year she was again admitted to a hospital. With joy we welcomed October 9 when she was released to return home so she and father could celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on the 10th of October. In spite of sickness and pain she enjoyed that evening in a circle of friends and relatives.

Since she had been unable to be present at the fall communion service in the church, our pastor ministered the service to her and the family in our home. The following day she returned to the hospital where she remained five days. Another serious operation took place November 12 of this year. Before going to the operating room she assured her family that she had no fear regardless of what the outcome of the operation might be. With steadfastness she professed her sincere and absolute trust in her Savior, selected her funeral Scripture text and favorite hymns, which were used at the funeral, and then calmly went to the operating room.

Again she recovered above expectations and was able to return home on Dec. 3. Here she enjoyed a week in quite favorable condition, gladly met her visitors and often expressed her gratitude for any little kindness shown her.

On December 18 she was again taken to the hospital in a greatly weakened condition, and went Home to be with her Lord during the very early hour of Christmas Eve. We will remember her as the ever-willing helper and comforter, not only to her family but also to her friends and neighbors. She went about her daily tasks quietly and cheerfully, often humming her favorite hymns.

She leaves her deeply bereaved husband, John D. Wiebe; a son, Rev. Ernest A. Wiebe of Independence, Kansas; Frieda, of the home; Paula, missionary to Uruguay, South America; and Emma, Mrs. Willie Busenitz of near Whitewater, Kansas; one daughter-in-law; one son-in-law; one brother; one foster-brother; two sisters; nine grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

"Da schlafen wir geborgen
     In stiller, tiefer Nacht,
Bis Er am schoensten Morgen
     Uns ruft: Erwacht, erwacht!
"Was weiter wird geschehen,
     Das ahnen wir jetzt kaum;
Es wird uns sein als sehen
     Wir Alles wie im Traum!

Funeral service was conducted December 27, 1951, at 1:00 p.m. in the home by the Rev. H. J. Dyck, Zion Mennonite church, Elbing, Kansas. A quartet sang, “Harre Meine Seele” and the assembly sang, “Dort Ueber Jenem Sternen Meer.” Rev. H. J. Dyck spoke on the text from II Cor. 5.

At 2:00 p.m. services were conducted in the Emmaus Mennonite church, Whitewater, Kansas, by the pastor, Rev. Walter H. Dyck.

The congregation sang, “What Mercy and Divine Compassion,” and Rev. Ted Roth from the Swiss Mennonite church, Whitewater, related touching incidents from the life of the departed one based upon favorite passages including: Ps. 23, John 3:14-17, John 10:26-29, and Isa. 49:16. An octet sang, “Ich Bete an die Macht Der Liebe.” Rev. Walter H. Dyck brought the funeral message based upon I Tim. 1:15-16, as chosen by the departed one, and an octet sang "It Is Well With My Soul”.

For the grave-side service, the Rev. H. J. Dyck led in prayer and a quartet sang, "Jesus Lover of My Soul.”