Wiens, Jacob (1906-1977)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1977 Sept 16 p. 31

Birth date: 1906 Feb 15

text of obituary:

JACOB WIENS

Jacob Wiens, the oldest son of Jacob and Katharina (nee Hildebrandt) was born in the Ukraine in 1906. A heart attack on July 26 led to his passing while living at home in Waterloo, Ont. He was saved at an early age and in 1922, together with his 83·year-old grandmother and his sister, was baptized into the newly formed evangelical fellowship. He became a faithful and enthusiastic witness for the Lord.

In 1926 he married his wife, Agatha, and three years later they joined the flight to Germany via Moscow. In 1930 they arrived in Brazil, where they experienced great hardships in their fight for survival. Along the way and in Brazil four of the Wiens children died. Despite these severe tests, he remained cheerful and trusted the Lord.

In 1948 the Wiens family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where they were elected to the diaconate in the South End Mennonite Brethren Church. Another move, to Kitchener-Waterloo, followed in 1966; Mr. Wiens again served as a deacon here. He also sang in the Hospital Visitation Choir and Male Choir. He had great joy in attending church services and Bible studies. In 1976, after the Lord had restored him after a severe heart attack, the Wienses celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, Agatha; a daughter Edith; a son, Fred, and his wife and two children; two brothers and one sister in Ontario; one brother and one sister in Brazil; and many relatives and friends.