Wiens, Ferdinand J. (1907-1980)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1980 Mar 13 p. 11

Birth date: 1907 Mar 7

text of obituary:

FERDINAND J. WIENS

Ferdinand J. Wiens was born Mar. 7, 1907 in a primitive home in Champa, India, the son of missionaries P. J. and Agnes Harder Wiens. He died in Woodburn, Ore. on Jan. 31, 1980.

At the age of six he began his formal education at All Saints Convent in Naintal, India, then continued at Woodstock School at Landour, and at elementary schools in Upland, Calif. and Newton, Kan. while his parents were on furlough. He attended Philander Smith College in Naintal, India, and graduated in 1928 from Bethel College, North Newton, Kan.

He was married in 1930 to Dorothy Vesper, who died in 1935. Their daughter, Phyllis Marie Manus, is a missionary in Peru. Esther Janz of Odessa, Wash. became his wife on Aug. 17, 1935. Their daughter is Gladys Aileen Friesen of Bellevue, Wash.

He was assistant editor of “Mennonite Weekly Review” from 1928 to 1930, then for eight years was business manager of the Mennonite Book Concern of Berne, Ind. Between 1939 and 1944 he was special agent for the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and also a shipyard worker in Portland, Ore. He was assistant manager of the Better Book and Bible House in Portland from 1945 to 1959, then assumed managership of the Biola College and Seminary Bookstores in Los Angeles, Calif. until illness forced his retirement.

His life interest was in the Scriptures. His faith in Christ was firmly based in the Word of God. Over the years he gave many Bibles and scripture portions to those who needed them. He taught many courses in Mennonite and church history and biblical history.

He was a loyal and dedicated participant in the life of the General Conference. He was a member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Pratum, Ore. at the time of his death and had been a member or regular attender of six other General Conference congregations. He attended 50 general and district conference sessions.

Many will gratefully remember him for his faithful ministry of prayer support for pastors, missionaries and church workers; his encouragement of our children and young people; his generous sharing of his knowledge and enthusiasm in archeology, photography, travel, horticulture and music; and most of all for his example of solid faith in Christ.

Surviving besides his wife and daughters are three sisters, Mieka Bailey of Upland, Calif. Frieda Krehbiel and Martha Koehn of North Newton, Kan.; and six grandchildren. A brother, Rudolph, died in 1972.

Funeral services were held Feb. 4 at the Emmanuel church with Dwaine Holsapple and Harry Howard in charge. Additional services were held at the Menno Mennonite Cemetery at Ritzville, Wash.