Wiebe, Walter Henry (1910-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Oct 17 p. 11

Birth date: 1910 Jul 20

text of obituary:

WALTER HENRY WIEBE

Walter Henry Wiebe, 64, died at Power County Hospital, American Falls, Ida., on Sept. 18, 1974.

He was born July 20, 1910 in Newton, Kan., a son of Henry B. and Katie Enz Weibe.. His early life was spent in Kansas where he received his education and graduated from Whitewater High School. He was baptized in the Emmaus Church at the age of 18. In 1930 the family moved to Aberdeen, Idaho where he lived until the time of his death.

In 1935 he married Stella Enns. Three children were born to them. In 1936 he entered a partnership, operating a grocery store. Twenty-five years ago he started a clothing store, called "Wiebe's," which was later changed to "The Villager" when a son-in-law entered the business with him. Due to ill health Wiebes sold their store in May of this year.

Walter Wiebe saw life itself as a gift and a grace. He considered it a joy to be among the beauties of creation, to share these beauties with others, and was grateful to the Cause of this Creation. The simplest things, the most ordinary events, were occasions of delight to him — the discovery of a wild flower, the touch of evening on his shoulder, the chance encounter with an unusual person, even a derelict. In his last days he found the phrase of a German poet especially significant for his life: "Hiersein is Herrlich." For to him, indeed, life here was glorious, a cause for wonder and continual amazement.

He is survived by his wife of Aberdeen; a son, Paul, Wichita, Kan.; two daughters, Mrs. Wayne (Sharon) Stucky of Aberdeen and Mrs. Miriam Schmidt of Newport, Ore.; two brothers, Karl and Henry, both of Aberdeen; three sisters, Mrs. Henry (Esther) Becker of Albany, Ore., Mrs. Titus (Florence) Nickel of Dallas, Texas and Mrs. Willard (Elsie) Epp of Marion, S. D.; and six grandchildren. His parents and one brother preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the Mennonite church in Aberdeen, with Rev. Aaron J. Epp officiating.