Wiebe, Bernhard B. (1885-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Oct 19 p. 4

Birth date: 1885 Sep 1

text of obituary:

. . .

— Bernhard B. Wiebe, long time resident of Aberdeen, Idaho and well known in the Newton vicinity passed away at Aberdeen on October 7 at the age of 65, after a long illness. Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church of Aberdeen on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 11, and at the same time memorial services were conducted at the First Mennonite church of Newton by Rev. P. A. Wedel, his former pastor. The survivors include two daughters, Margaret of Whittier, Calif., and Dorothy of Newton, and two sons Henry and David of Aberdeen.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Nov 9 p. 6

text of obituary:

BERNHARD B. WIEBE

Bernhard B. Wiebe, son of Bernhard and Katharina Wiebe, was born near Whitewater, Kansas on Sept. 1, 1885. Here he had his schooling and enjoyed a care-free childhood. In 1902 he moved with his parents to Hinton, Oklahoma. At the age of 17 he was baptized by the late Rev. Jacob Krebiel of Geary, Okla., and became a member of the Mennonite church.

In the fall of 1908 he came to live in Aberdeen, Idaho, where he shared the hardships and pleasures of pioneer life. In 1913 he homesteaded in Dubois, Idaho, where a new Mennonite settlement was organized at that time.

He was married to Helena Friesen on June 4, 1917. In Sept. 1919, they had to give up their homestead, as so many others did, and moved to Aberdeen. Here has been the family home until now.

Two daughters were born to this union. On May 27, 1929, his wife passed away leaving him and the two young daughters who were taken into the home of his sister. Mrs. P. F. Funk and family, until she passed away in 1933.

On Dec. 3, 1935, he was married to Selma Friesen, a sister to his first wife, and they could again enjoy family life. Two sons were born to this union. Two times a call to the ministry of the Gospel was extended to him. Each time he declined, because he had not the necessary preparation. But he never failed to witness for the Lord with his life and with words as Sunday school supt., Sunday school teacher and in the office of deacon.

He had the interesting exeprience [sic] of helping to settle a new community three times in his life. The last two years he had been failing in health. On March 6 of this year he submitted to a major operation. A month later he again resumed his work as water commissioner of Aberdeen, a position he had held for many years. On Sept. 1 of this year he resigned because of his rapidly failing health.

He was a man of few words but great faith. He firmly believed in Romans 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It was with this faith in heart that he could commit his family and especially his two young sons into the care of his Heavenly Father, who has been so gracious to him and shortened days of his suffering. Saturday morning, Oct. 7, he had a cerebral hemorrhage, after which he gradually became unconscious. At 10 minutes till 4:00 p. m. the door of Eternity opened, and as quietly as had been his life, so was also his death as he went to be with his Lord. He reached the age of 65 years, one months and six days.

He leaves to mourn his departure: his wife Selma; two daughters, Margaret of Whittier, Calif., and Dorothy of Newton, Kansas, and her fiance, William Ensz, Whitewater, Kans.; two sons, Henry and David of the home. He is also survived by one brother, H. B. Wiebe, of Aberdeen, and one sister, Mrs. Willie Harder, of Sterling, Idaho, and many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends who mourn his passing.

Funeral services were conducted at the First Mennonite church of Aberdeen on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1950, at 2:30 p. m. Rev. H. N. Harder officiated, preaching from I Cor. 15:54-57 on the subject, “The Sting of Death Removed." Casket bearers were nephews, Alvin and Ronald Funk, Walter, Carl and Henry Wiebe, and Eldon Harder. A quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert J. Hege, Mrs. Maurice Wedel and Edwin Becker sang at the services.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Oct 31 p. 723