William Wiens (1898 -1976)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1976 Nov 12 p. 37

Birth date: 1898 Aug 26

text of obituary:

WILLIAM WIENS

William Wiens was born on August 26, 1898 to Aganetha and Gerhard Wiens in the village of Wohldemfuerst, southern Russia. Later the family lived in the Terek and then the Kuban settlements. His father died when he was eight years old, and later he took upon himself the responsibility of caring for his mother and younger brothers and sisters. At an early age he received Christ and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. Psalm 121:1 was a favorite verse.

The family moved to Canada in 1924. On December 7 of that same year he married Mary Reimer in Hepburn, Sask. Seven children were born to them. They farmed at Humboldt, Sask., for seven years, and for 1.1 further 14 years in Greendale, B.C. Another move was made in 1945 to Matsqui, B.C., where they farmed until retirement in Clearbrook in 1963. He often referred to this retirement time of blessing as a "second honeymoon."

Mr. Wiens was active in church work, and loved to work with young people. He taught Sunday school and helped with the mission work at Deroche and Lake Errock, often preaching as a lay minister. In retirement he served as registrar of the Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church. He suffered from a heart condition, but never complained. The Lord called him home peacefully on September 10.

He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, Mary; two sons, Bill and his wife Margaret of Harrison Hot Springs and Alfred of Calgary; five daughters, Mary (Mrs. Dan) Schmidt of Abbotsford; Leona (Mrs. John) Klassen of Hepburn, Sask.; Rita (Mrs. Neil) Klassen of Matsqui; Ruth (Mrs. Frank) Martens of Hawaii; and Amy (Mrs. John) Kroeker of Terrace, B.C.; 29 grandchildren; three brothers; three sisters; and a host of relatives and friends.