Wiens, Abraham J. (1880-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Dec 2 p. 8

Birth date: 1880 Feb 5

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM J. WIENS

Abraham J. Wiens, son of Johann and Katherina (Duerksen) Wiens, was born at Marion, South Dakota on Feb. 5, 1890 [sic 1880], and died Nov. 9, 1954, at 10:40 p.m. in his home in Marion.

He spent all of his life in the vicinity of Marion. Here he received his limited education and engaged in farming until a year ago when he had a sale and moved to Minneapolis to stay with his son John.

On May 18, 1905, he was united in marriage with Susanna Schartner. From this union one son and two daughters were born. They shared joys and sorrows for 49 years, six months, and 22 days. He was a very dear husband and father. His memory will long be cherished.

He accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour and was baptized on June 11, 1899, by Rev. Derk P. Tieszen and joined the Bethesda Mennonite church of which he remained a faithful member until his death. He served the church in various capacities, being a trustee and Sunday School teacher for many years. Mr. Wiens was a deeply spiritual man, a searcher in God’s Word and a diligent seeker after God’s will.

A noticeable ailment set in on June 29, 1954, which increased rapidly as time went on. After returning to Marion only a month ago, he entered the Sioux Valley hospital at Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Oct. 12, 1954, and remained there for observation four days. The doctors diagnosis revealed cancer of the lung. All that modern science could do and all that loving hands could offer could not alter the fact that the time of his departure was at hand. He reached the age of 74 years, nine months and four days.

He is survived by his widow and three children, John of Minneapolis, Tina (Mrs. Jacob A, Tieszen) of Sioux Falls, and Susie of Marion. There are also two grandsons and two granddaughters. One grandson could not be present for the funeral, since he is in the service in Germany.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, five brothers, and two sisters.

We sorrow not as those who have no hope, but we are looking forward to a glorious meeting again.

Final services were held Sunday, Nov. 14, 1954, at 1:00 p.m. at the home and 2:00 p.m. at Bethesda Mennonite church. Officiating clergymen were Rev. T. A. van der Smissen, Rev. Joseph J. Hofer, and Rev. Gerhardt Schartner. Music was rendered by the Schartner, Bethesda, and Eldon Smith quartets. Mrs. Theo. J. Hofer was organist. He was laid to rest in the Tieszen Cemetery with the Tschetter Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. — Mrs. Abraham J. Wiens and Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1954 Dec 21 p. 784