Wiens, Abram A. (1896-1965)

The Mennonite obituary: 6 Jul 1965 p. 455

Birth date: 1896 Aug 09

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1965 Jun 25 p. 18

text of obituary:

A. A. WIENS

Abram A. Wiens of Abbotsford, (formerly Yarrow), B.C. passed away in the MSA Hospital, Abbotsford, June 10. He was born August 9, 1896 in Sparrau South Russia, the son of Abraham and Aganetha Wiens. As a youth he accepted Christ as personal Saviour and was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren Church at Tiege, Sagradovka. In October, 1919 he was married to Anna Dueckman. The Lord blessed their marriage with six children of whom five survive.

In 1925 he emigrated from Russia establishing a temporary residence at New Hamburg, Ontario, then moving on to Chortitz, Manitoba, where the family lived from 1926 to 1942. In that year the family moved again, this time, to Yarrow where they resided for the next 22 years.

Abram Wiens began his public work with service for the American Mennonite Relief Organization. In 1945 he became secretary-treasurer of the B.C. Provincial Mennonite Relief Committee, and in recent years most of his time was devoted to the MCC Western Clothing Depot in Yarrow which he operated.

He was hospitalized May 9 with a severe heart attack. After one month of illness, throughout which time his condition remained critical, he died. He reached an age of 68 years. His last message to the church was, "Be not afraid of them that can kill the body, but fear him who can destroy the soul in hell."

He is survived by his wife Anna; three sons, Henry, John and Ernest; and two daughters, Agnes and Ann.

The funeral service was held in the Clearbrook Church with the Rev. Nick J. Dyck in charge. Rev. G. Thielmann, chairman of MCC (British Columbia) preached the first funeral message. His remarks were based on the statement of Paul, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Rev. J. J. Thiessen of Saskatoon, a longtime associate in relief ministries, preached the main message with words based on Hebrews 4:9,10. Funeral service and burial took place Monday, June 14.