Huebert, Katie Willms (1909-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Jun 8 p. 28

Birth date: 1909 Sep 12

text of obituary:

KATIE HUEBERT

Katie (Katharina)Huebert of Winnipeg passed away Apr. 29 at Donwood Manor Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 12, 1909 to Johann and Gertrude Willms in Hierschau, Molotschna, Ukraine. Her father died in 1914. In 1924, she nearly died of malaria. Her mother died that year. The children immigrated to Rosthern, Sask. in 1926, later moving to Namaka, Alta., where her brother Johann had bought a farm. After a year, the house burned down while they were at church; they lost everything. She and her sisters did domestic work on surrounding farms and later in Calgary. She attended evenings school to learn English. At 20, she accepted Christ and was baptized. Attending Coaldale (Alta.) Bible School gave her life new direction and purpose. On Oct. 26, 1933, she married Gerhard Huebert, a student at Calgary Prophetic Bible Institute. Their first place of service was at Gem (Alta.) Bible School. Gerhard then taught or studied at various schools: Toronto Baptist Seminary, Bethany Bible Institute, Tabor College, Northwestern Schools, MB Bible College and Winkler Bible Institute. Katie took Bible or Bible-related courses. She loved the Lord and His work. She tried to support Gerhard in any way she could. Besides managing the household, she spent many hours typing Gerhard's papers and theses in triplicate. Their last place of ministry was Central MB Church, Winnipeg, where Gerhard pastored 1970-74. With Gerhard's increasing disability in the late 1970s, Katie spent a lot of time caring for him. He died in 1981. She taught Sunday school for many years, taught German school, led ladies' groups, had a number of articles published describing the function of women's groups, and led a Bible study group in her apartment block in her later years. She had a strong, dynamic faith, bolstered by unceasing prayer and avid Bible reading. She was concerned about the progress and welfare of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Predeceased by Gerhard, she is mourned by sons Helmut, Walter and Arthur; 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 2 at Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with Claude Pratte and John Unger ministering.