HILDA WIENS

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HILDA WIENS Hilda Wiens (nee Penner) peacefully slipped into the arms of Jesus on January 11, 2017, with her daughter by her side. She is survived by her son Tim (Leanne) with children Ethan and Meranda, daughter Darlene (Martin) with children Kepler and Theodore, three sisters, and one brother. She was predeceased by her loving husband Peter in 1981, sister Mary, brother Peter, and other in-laws. She was born in Kontineuesfeld, Ukraine on May 30, 1936, the sixth of seven children. Her father was taken away by Stalin's army in 1938, never to be heard from again. The family left the Ukraine in 1943, eventually arriving in Westfallen, Germany in 1944. In 1945 to 1947 they lived in Poland on a collective farm, where Mom helped to babysit the boss' children. In 1948, with the help of Mennonite Central Committee, they traveled by ship to Pier 21 in Halifax and took the train to Coaldale, AB, where her family settled. Mom started grade 3, but also hoed sugar beets with her family for a farmer to pay off "die Reiseschuld" (immigration debt). After graduating high school she attended Bible school in Coaldale and then college in Lethbridge, graduating with a nursing degree. She worked as a pediatric nurse in the Lethbridge Hospital for a number of years. She loved children and also received the award Best Pediatric Nurse. In 1969 Hilda married Peter Wiens and moved to Winnipeg. God blessed them with a son Timothy in 1970, followed by a daughter Darlene in 1972. Mom was able to stay home with us kids while Dad worked in construction. After the death of her husband, she started working for Home Care to support her family, using her nursing skills. Hilda made a huge impact on the people she cared for with her gentle, patient and loving nature. Everyone loved her! Due to health concerns, Hilda stopped working in 2002, moved into Lion's Manor and later into Bethania Haus, where she continued to serve in various ways. She accepted life's circumstances with grace, courage and trust in her God. Her best friend Adina Wall faithfully cared for Hilda daily, helping to extend her stay at Bethania Haus. In 2008 she moved into Bethania Personal Care Home, where she shared her contagious joy with everyone she came in contact with. Her health continued to decline, slowly taking her ability to communicate, but would still smile and squeeze your hand. We would like to thank the nurses, care aides and staff for their love and care our Mom, Oma, Sister and Friend. Viewing and visitation will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. Celebration of Life will take place on Monday, January 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, 1315 Gateway Road. Interment at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, prior to the service at 9:45 a.m. Meet inside the cemetery gates. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassion Canada (in memory of Hilda Wiens) or to Bethania Personal Care Home Recreation Department.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 14, 2017