Wiebe, Henry (1909-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 July 11 p. 23

Birth date: 1909 Jan 23

text of obituary:

HENRY WIEBE

Henry Peter Wiebe was born January 23, 1909 in Alexanderthal, South Russia, to Peter Dietrich and Greta (Enns) Wiebe. He died suddenly on May 24 in Lucerne, Switzerland in his 67th year.

Elder John Rempel performed the ceremony at his wedding to Katharina Epp on November 27, 1928 in Superb, Saskatchewan.

As a young man he surrendered to God and through the ministry of Rev. H. S. Voth was led to assurance of salvation. Together with his young wife he was baptized and received into the Morden (Man.) MB Church.

The fellowship of the saints was always treasured and responsibilities to the church were accepted, but his most active years in church life were spent in Arnold, B.C. from 1942 to 1967, when they retired and transferred to the Clearbrook MB Church.

His example and his admonitions will remain invaluable assets in his children's lives. He was a man of healthy self-respect who responded to the challenges of life with enthusiasm. He was able to adjust to circumstances of life, whether poverty or affluence. Honesty was his policy and he honored his own word. His ability to make friends and keep communications alive was appreciated by many people. While enjoying fishing together with others, conversation centered on other topics than just fish. People generally knew what position he took on live issues.

He took keen interest in gospel radio programs such as Haven of Rest, and listened attentively to Billy Graham and Anton Schulte, programs which he also supported financially.

He wanted to go on the tour on which he passed away, knowing that he lived on borrowed time. It was a highlight for him and he enjoyed it to the end, thanking God for giving him this privilege.

Surviving him are: his wife Katharina; his children, Henry and his wife Elvira, Abbotsford, Katie and her husband Eric Ratzlaff, Clearbrook, Rita of Clearbrook; 12 grandchildren; his brothers, Dietrich of Clearbrook and Peter, Jacob and George of Morden, Man. and his sisters, (Mrs.) Mary Martens of Morden, Man., and (Mrs.) Margaret Wiebe of Kelowna, B.C. An infant son predeceased him.

The funeral service was held in the Clearbrook Church on May 30, with Rev. Herman Lenzmann and Rev. J. H. Quiring officiating.