Wiebe, Maria Dick (1881-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 May 02 p. 31

Birth date: 1881 Sept 10

text of obituary:

(MRS.) MARIA WIEBE

(Mrs.) Maria Wiebe was born September 10, 1881 in Tiege, Molotschna, South Russia, to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Dick, the second of ten children. In her early youth she was saved during evangelistic meetings by Rev. Jakob Reimer, was baptized and joined the United Mennonite Church.

In 1899 she was married to George Friesen, a public school teacher. Their marriage was blessed with two sons. In 1903 her husband was fatally shot by a Russian bandit in Terek. After this tragic blow she returned to Tiege to live with her parents.

In 1905 she married John Wiebe, a fruit farmer. This marriage was blessed with nine children. They lived in Kurushan, Molotschna until their immigration to Canada in 1924. Before the journey Mrs. Wiebe became critically ill, but God restored her again.

In Ontario they joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. They lived in Elmira, Pelee Island, and Rodney. In Rodney they celebrated their silver anniversary. Then they lived in Fruitland and Leamington . In 1942 they settled in Virgil, where they celebrated their golden wedding. Mrs. Wiebe became a widow for the second time in 1957.

In 1968 Mrs . Wiebe broke her thigh due to a fall and never fully recovered. Since January of 1974 she was in Tabor Manor, St. Catharines. The Lord called her home on March 23 at the age of 93.

She leaves to mourn three sons: John and wife Anna of Kelowna , B.C., now serving in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Nick and wife Katie of Clearbrook, B.C.; Henry and wife Helen of Leamington, Ont.; five daughters: Sara (Mrs. Henry) Hiebert and Katie of Virgil, Ont.; Mary (Mrs. John) Ewert; Betty (Mrs. Jake) Thiessen and Anne (Mrs. William) Winters of St. Catharines, Ont.; two daughters-in-law; Mary (Mrs. George) Friesen of Vineland, Ont. and Susie (Mrs. Jacob) Friesen of Virgil; one sister, Agnes (Mrs. Jacob) Dreidger of Leamington; 46 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by three sons: Abram Wiebe, George Friesen and Jacob Friesen; two sons-in-law: Henry Hiebert and William Winters and one daughter-in-law, Agnes (Mrs. Abram) Wiebe.

Funeral services were held March 27 in the Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. John G. Baerg of Virgil and Rev. Isaac Tiessen of Strathroy officiating.