Wiens, Nettie Loewen (1918-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Sep 28 p. 26

Birth date: 1918 May 14

text of obituary:

NETTIE WIENS

Nettie Wiens of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away June 13. She was born May 14,1918 to David P. and Tina Loewen in Rosenbach, Fuerstenland, Ukraine. When she was about 10, the family immigrated to Hepburn, Sask., then homesteaded in Fairholme, Sask. She attended school to grade 6, helped on the family farm, then did housekeeping. She accepted Christ in 1930 and was baptized Aug. 14, 1932, joining Speedwell MB Church. She met Peter Wiens at choir practice. They married Aug. 13, 1939. After a few months, they moved to Sardis, B.C., then Yarrow, B.C. After several rentals, they bought 5 acres from Peter's father. Nettie sold milk, picked raspberries, picked and sold plums, did gardening and canning, and made friends with neighbours and their children. She offered sandwiches to railroad tramps in exchange for splitting firewood. Her hospitality was extended to others in the 1948 flood. Their next home had 10 acres of raspberries, beans and strawberries and a cow. She managed the raspberry farm, the pickers and their accommodations. They then had a filbert nut farm. She did volunteer work with MCC and hosted various workers and exchange students. She loved to serve needy people and keep her hands busy. They moved to Foam Lake, Sask. for 2 years, then returned to the nut farm in Yarrow. In 1986 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. She sorted, sewed and quilted baby and child-sized blankets for MCC. They travelled to Churchill, Man., Strasbourg, France, Alaska, Mennonite World Conference, the Holy Land and the Maritimes; and spent time in their children's homes. She called her children's spouses "children-in-love". She prayed daily for her children and grandchildren. She had an ear and a lap for each child, and a Bible verse for every occasion. Her last 6 months of life were filled with pain. She moved to her son's home in December 2000, then to Ebenezer Home Mar. 26, 2001. Predeceased by Peter, 2 brothers, 1 sister and an infant child, she is mourned by children Irvin, Gordon, Stan, Lenora Siemens, Leonard, Doreen Dyck, John and Clarence; 28 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 4 sisters. The funeral was June 19 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld ministering.