Hiebert, Elisabeth Giesbrecht (1915-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jul 12 p. 26

Birth date: 1915 May 29

text of obituary:

ELISABETH (BETTY) HIEBERT

Elisabeth (Betty) Hiebert passed away Sept. 12, 2001 . She was born May 29, 1915 to Abram and Elisabeth Giesbrecht in Didsbury, Alta. When she was a year old, the family moved to Carnduff, Sask. She completed grade 8. She worked as a housemaid in various homes. She accepted Christ at 22. She met Abram D. Hiebert in Winkler, Man. in May 1938. After meeting twice, praying together for guidance and exchanging letters, they married June 26, 1938. She was baptized and joined Steinbach (Man.) MB Church in 1939. They moved to a homestead near Steinbach, where they lived in a log cabin. After living in a granary for several months, they moved to the Ekron School District, where they farmed until 1949. While she was in hospital giving birth to twins, their house was moved to Steinbach. In 1964 they moved to the renovated Ekron schoolhouse. They retired to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1985, moved to a care home in 1998 after she suffered a stroke and to Menno Home on their 60th anniversary. She was a dutiful wife who spent countless hours raising her family, memorized Scripture passages with her children and worked diligently to instill a love for the Lord in them. She could make a game out of any chore, and her singing was woven throughout household activities. Her influence was through the day-to-day acceptance of God's will and submission to duty whether easy or difficult. Her children remember hearing her and Abram praying nightly at their bed for each of their children. She spent countless hours quilting for MCC. She was known for her hospitality, always ready with an extra place at the table, a warm greeting and sometimes a hug. Predeceased by 1 brother, she is mourned by Abram; children Ruth Giesbrecht, Walter, Lydia Penner, Bill, Vi Blakeburn, Vic and Dennis; 23 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 4 brothers. The funeral was Sept. 17 in South Abbotsford MB Church, with Dave Epp ministering.