Wiens, Gerhard E. (1889-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 3 p.6

Birth date: 1889 Dec 18

text of obituary:

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— Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Brudertal church near Hillsboro for Gerhard E. Wiens, 70, well-known blacksmith of the Durham community who died Feb. 23 at the Herington hospital. Surviving are the widow, Marta; one daughter and one son; two step-sons and one step-daughter; two brothers and three sisters. Mrs. P. F. Nachtigal of Newton is a sister.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Apr 28 p. 8

text of obituary:

GERHARD E. WIENS

Gerhard E. Wiens, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Epp Wiens, was born Dec. 18, 1889, in McPherson county, two miles south of Inman, Kansas. Here he grew to manhood. He received his elementary education in this community.

On July 9, 1911, he was baptized and received as a member in the Hoffnungsau church. On Nov. 16, 1913, he was married to Lizzie Reimer. To this union were bon three children. His wife Lizzie passed away on Dec. 1, 1921. One son, also of this marriage, passed away six months before this time.

On Nov. 3, 1922, he married his present wife, Maria Ewert Rempel, and took upon himself the responsibility for three more children besides his own two. On Feb. 10, 1924 he joined the Brudertal Mennonite church, where he was still a member at his death.

His great pleasure was to help somebody in need, and he gained many friends by doing so. His trade blacksmithing was a hard one, but he enjoyed following it until July 27, 1959. At that time he became very ill, and entered the hospital with extreme pain. He passed away on Feb. 23, 1960, just before midnight, in the Herington hospital at the age of 70 years, two months, and five days.

He leaves to mourn his going his wife, Maria; a son, Menno Wiens of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; a daughter, Irene, Mrs. Frank A. Funk; a son, John E. Rempel, Wichita; a daughter Mathilda, Mrs. Roland J. Bartel; a son, Elmer Rempel, Hillsboro. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, two brothers, John J. of Buhler and Jacob E. of Hillsboro, three sisters, Marie of Inman, Anna of Oregon, and Agatha of Newton.

The last time he was at home was for Christmas day, and this he enjoyed very much. His last wish was to be united with his family at the throne of God. So we mourn, not as though he is dead, but in the faith that he had gone on ahead. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1960 May 10 p. 306