Wiens, Daniel (1910-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jul 2 p. 8

Birth date: 1910 Jun 10

text of obituary:

DANIEL WIENS

Daniel Wiens was born June 10, 1910, at Inman, Kansas, the second child and oldest son of Bernard and Maria Wiens. In his early childhood his parents moved to Meade, Kansas, where he spent his boyhood, attending public school, Bible school, and working with his father on the farm.

His father was a minister in the Nebo Mennonite Church, and under his Christian influence, together with the guidance of a devoted mother, he came to know the Lord as personal Saviour as a young man. He was baptized upon confession of faith and received into the membership of the Nebo Mennonite Church. In 1930, with the merging of the Nebo Church with the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church, he became a member of the E. M. B. denomination, and this affiliation he retained until his death.

On April 14, 1933, he was united in marriage to Anna Schmidt of Newton, Kansas. One daughter, Naoma Ruth [sic Naomi Ruth], was born to this union in 1938. His occupation was that of builder and contractor, a work in which he engaged for eight years at Buhler, Kansas.

In 1943 we responded to a call to take charge of the Grace Children's Home Farm at Henderson, Neb. Here he became seriously ill with inflammatory rheumatism. In August, 1945, we moved to Omaha, Neb. where he enrolled in Grace Bible Institute and where he attended for two years. For two years he ministered in the First Presbyterian Church of Wales, Iowa, and there we also had our home for one year.

In 1948 we resumed our residence in Omaha, where for several years he was unable to engage in any occupation because of serious illness. After receiving medical help he was again able to work, and from 1951 until just a few weeks before his death he was employed at the Omaha Public Works.

At Easter time of this year he again became very ill, and his condition grew steadily worse so that it was necessary for him to be taken to the hospital on Sunday, May 17. This was done in the hope that an operation would be the means of restoring his health. On that Sunday, leaving his home, he said, “The Lord is my Shepherd; Thy will be done.” On Friday, May 29, at 2:30 p. m. he departed this life to meet his Saviour and to occupy his mansion above. He attained the age of 48 years, 11 months, and 19 days.

Deep spiritual convictions formed the basis of his Christian life. He believed that there was a service for him to perform, and it was his deep concern to find the place of God's choosing and to be faithful there. His physical suffering over a period of 15 years often brought him into difficult spiritual struggles, but the Lord stood by him and strengthened him so that his faith did not fail. Sacred music was his delight. Whether sung by others or by himself, the songs of salvation never failed to cheer and bless him.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Wiens; one daughter, Naoma [sic Naomi]; his mother, Mrs. B. A. Wiens of Dodge City, Kansas; two brothers, Menno of Meade, Kansas, and Arthur, of Minneola, Kansas; four sisters, Mrs. George Neufeld of Meade, Mrs. Isaac Classen of Wichita, Kansas, Mrs. Sam Friesen of Meade, and Mrs. C. A. Classen of Sterling, Kansas.