MARY WIEBE

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MARY WIEBE Mary Wiebe passed away peacefully at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home in Winnipeg on September 28, 2015. She leaves to mourn her brother Walter Wiebe with family in Germany. She was predeceased by her parents Gerhard and Elisabeth Wiebe (nee Falk), a brother Gerhard Wiebe, and her sister Louise Wiebe. Mary was born on September 15, 1919 in Gruenfeld, South Ukraine. She and her mother and sister Louise immigrated to Canada from war-torn Europe in 1948. The father died while the family was still in Ukraine and the family experienced the hardships of life which such a loss entails. War broke out and in October 1943 the family was forced to flee, travelling through Eastern Europe trying to reach the west. Gerhard died as a soldier of the German army in Hungary in 1945. Walter was forced into the German army in Poland and was separated from his family until a re-unification many years later, long after Mary, mother Elisabeth, and sister Louise were in Canada. Mary was able to study and train as a midwife in Germany. She worked in Iserlohn and Harburg near Hamburg. In May of 1948 the family applied for immigration to Canada and arrived in Quebec on August 21, 1948. They travelled on to Winnipeg where they were greeted by many relatives. They then moved to a family farm at Westbourne and stayed there for the first five years. In January 1954 the family moved to Winnipeg. Mary worked for 27 years as a practical nurse at Concordia Hospital. She considered this time to be the source of great contentment and was grateful to have had the chance to care for so many people in this capacity. After their mother died in 1972, the two sisters were inseparable, living together in their house on Spruce Street and enjoying each other's company. They were gifted in many ways and these gifts complemented each other. They loved to entertain. Mary cooked and baked while Louise decorated the house with her beautiful pictures and tablecloths. Louise was outgoing and talkative. Mary listened and quietly supported. They were a team in so many ways. Their garden and home gave both of them great joy. Both sisters were lifelong members of the First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg and considered it their spiritual home. Mary entered long-term care in 2012. Shortly after this Louise died. Mary was no longer able to understand what had happened and asked about Louise, even until recently. Funeral services to be held at First Mennonite Church at Alverstone and Notre Dame in Winnipeg on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with interment at Green Acres Memorial Gardens. Reverend Kathy Koop will conduct the service. In place of flowers, a donation to Mennonite Church Manitoba (Frohe Botschaft) would be appreciated. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery (204) 222-3241 Condolences may be sent to www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 01, 2015