WERNER (VERN) DAVID WIENS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WERNER (VERN) DAVID WIENS

November 2, 1947 – December 8, 2024

Werner (Vern) David Wiens, on December 8, 2024, age 77, was greeted with “Well done good and faithful servant” (Mt 25:23) by Jesus Christ, after a nearly lifelong battle with Type 1 diabetes.

Vern was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on November 2, 1947, to David and Margaret Wiens. Vern was the second born; older brother Richard and two younger sisters, Shirley and Margo, whom he adored. Vern and his family grew up on a farm near Glenlea.

In 1969, Vern met the love of his life, Jeanene Welty, from Pandora Ohio, in Thompson Manitoba. Jeanene was volunteering with Mennonite Central Committee, and Vern was working construction. They were married in Ohio on April 4, 1970. They continued to work with Mennonite Central Committee until the sudden passing of his father in 1971. Vern & Richard farmed together from 1971 to 2007.

The following years were both very good and very hard due to losses of beloved family members. Three sons; Paul (72), Greg (75) and Shawn (78) were born. But in 1974, they lost an infant son, Russel and six months later sister Shirley (Lemke) in a car accident.

In 1978, the family moved to the yard that Vern loved so dearly. He planted every tree with great care, put up a small barn for cows and chickens and he and Jeanene created a jewel on what had been an empty field. His second great passion was woodworking, which he also taught at 4-H for decades.

At age 60, Vern retired because he wanted to spend his best years volunteering because “faith in action” was part of Vern’s DNA. Vern and Jeanene served many years with Mennonite Disaster Service, the Christmas Cheer Board & Glenlea Church, as well as spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Vern lived a good and full life, but the tolls of diabetes dramatically reduced his quality of life in the last few years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanene; sons, Paul (Kristy), Greg (Heather) and Shawn (Connie), and grandchildren, Hannah, Aaron (Amalia), Bethany, Jeffrey, Beverly, David, Reegan, Kyler and Maverick. He is predeceased by his mother and father, sister, son and grandson (Nathan).

Memorial service will be held at the Glenlea Mennonite Church on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please give to Mennonite Disaster Service.

In care of arrangements

Tributes: friendsfs.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2024