Hiebert , Cornelius (1894-1965)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1966 Jan 07 p. 18

Birth date: 1894 Dec 24

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS HIEBERT

Cornelius Hiebert was born at Plum Coulee, Manitoba, on December 24, 1894. His childhood was spent in the Winkler area. Following his high school and studies at a teacher training institution, he taught in the public school system for several years. As a young man of 19 he gave himself to the Lord and that same year (1913) upon confession of his faith, was baptized by the Rev. John Warkentin and joined the Mennonite Brethren church at Winkler. He married Elizabeth Bueckert in the fall of 1917 at Myrtle, Manitoba. God gave to them 46 years of married life together.

The Hieberts left Canada in 1923, lived briefly in Reedley and Bakersfield, and then settled in Los Angeles. Here he was employed for a short time and then entered business for himself in cabinet making.

In 1961 Cornelius and Elizabeth Hiebert located in Fresno, California, and set up a manufacturing plant in order to build and furnish the College-Seminary library. After the death of his wife Elizabeth in 1963 there followed some lonesome and strenuous times. But the Lord led into his life another helpmate, Olive Warkentin, to whom he was married in the spring Qf 1964.

His interests, even in his later years, were many. Particularly did he welcome the friendship of young people and for them he carried a deep concern. At the Los Angeles home, young people were freqently entertained. It was out of this interest in youth that he lent strong support to the Mennonite Brethren Conference school - a concern particularly evidenced in the donation of a library building, now known as the Hiebert Library.

His death came unexpectedly in his office on November 24 as a result of a heart attack. He leaves to mourn his sudden departure, his wife Olive; four daughters: Esther (Mrs. A. Bartel) of Fresno, Ida May (Mrs. Lowell Hiebert) of Selma, Louise (Mrs. Harvey Wall) of Concord, and Marjorie (Mrs. Gary Brandt) of South Pasadena; 11 grandchildren; and seven sisters: Mrs. Anna Pauls, Mrs. Mary Bueckert, Mrs. Tina Wiens - all of Winkler, Manitoba - Mrs. Susie Kroeker and Mrs. Ida Penner, both of Winnipeg, Mrs. Lena Schroeder of Downey, California, and Mrs. Justina Warkentin of Torrence. Of the family those who preceded him in death are: his wife, Elizabeth, and son John at birth, and a daughter (Mrs. Paul Epp) in 1964.