Wiebe, Nicholai J. (1883-1973)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Jan 25 p. 30

Birth date: 1883 Apr 21

text of obituary:

NICHOLAI J. WIEBE

Born April 21, 1883 in Neunendorf, Russia Nicholai Wiebe was baptized in 1905 and received into the Mennonite Church Djeewka, Orenburg. In 1913, he married Maria Quiring. This marriage was blessed with two daughters. Maria died in 1918 and the following year he married Helena Sawatsky. Five children were born to them; they all died in Russia.

The family came to Saskatchewan, Canada in 1930. Earning opportunities were scarce, however, so they moved to Swan River, Man. Here the family worshipped wth Mennonites and Baptists.

In 1946 the Wiebes came to Winkler, Man, where they were custodians of the Mennonite Brethren Church. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1969 when Mrs. Wiebe was in the hospital. She died a few months later.

Since that time Mr. Wiebe lived alone and spent much time reading the Bible and memorizing Psalms. He appreciated the recorded Sunday morning German worship service which Mr. B. Peters came to play to him regularly.

He went to be with the Lord October 24. Rev. John Stoesz and Rev. G. D. Pries officiated at the funeral, held October 28 in the Winkler Church. Left to mourn are his two daughters: Mrs. Bert (Katharina) Eisner of Salmon Arm, B .C. and Mrs. C. J . (Maria) Braun of Winkler; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.