Wiebe, Gertrude Peters (1921-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jan 11 p. 22

Birth date: 1921 Feb 6

text of obituary:

GERTRUDE WIEBE

Gertrude Wiebe of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 27. She was born Feb. 6, 1921 to Cornelius C. and Elizabeth Peters in Rosetown, Man. When she was 15, her mother died. She did exceptionally well in school, but after grade 6 took over household duties. She went to Morden to work at housework. Here she met William Wiebe, had her first opportunity to attend church and accepted Christ. She married William Sept. 10, 1939 in Kronsgart, Man. They moved to Sea Island, B.C., where they lived in a building housing CJOR radio station. They moved to Clearbrook, B.C., where they bought some land. Bill cleared much of it by hand and eventually went into chicken farming. She was baptized by Jacob Doerksen Sept. 5, 1946, and they became charter members of Clearbrook MB Church. Since Bill worked away from home, she had to raise the family and do a great deal of the physical work, She also had to deal with the allergies of Bill and her children. She loved animals and had ducks, geese, goats, cows, bantam chickens, rabbits, dogs and her favourite, cats. She was a great gardener, cook and baker, She was a private person with a soft, compassionate spirit. She shared the blessings of her labours with friends and neighbours. She helped Bill when problems arose on the "special needs" bus. She and Bill had a rich devotional life, reading and discussing God's Word and praying together. Each family member was prayed for by name. She cared faithfully for Bill when he was bedridden for 3 years bringing his favourite foods and staying by his side no matter how exhausted she was. She couldn't understand why God allowed him to suffer so much. Predeceased by Bill by 7 1/2 months and 9 siblings, she is mourned by children Betty Schmidt, Ed, Harry and Richard; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister, The memorial service was Nov. 1 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Art Isaac ministering.