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GEORGE DAVID WIEBE
George David Wiebe was born on December 25, 1927, in Rosenort, Manitoba, and died June 5, 2026, at West Park Manor Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. His childhood was shaped by close family ties, hard work on the farm, and the enriching fellowship and congregational singing at Lena Mennonite Church.
In 1941 the family moved to Reinland, and then to the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. George stayed behind to attend Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna for grades 11 and 12. At MCI he dedicated his life to following Christ.
After teaching school for a year in Manitoba, he was baptized at West Abbotsford Mennonite Church in 1946, where he first directed a choir. He attended Vancouver Normal School and taught in several schools.
Encouraged by his pastor, George enrolled at the fledgling Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg in 1950, where he was immersed in choral music and biblical studies. At CMBC he met pianist Esther Hiebert from Plum Coulee. George and Esther were married on July 12, 1953, in Winkler, beginning a lifelong musical and marital partnership.
In 1954 CMBC appointed him to its faculty, marking the start of a 39 year career teaching alongside Esther and shaping choral life across the denomination.
George deepened his craft through summer courses with Robert Shaw and sabbatical studies at University of Southern California, Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie, and Indiana University. In 1979 he completed his doctoral degree at Indiana University with a dissertation on Schütz's Musikalische Exequien.
George's life work as a professor and servant of the Mennonite community unfolded in complementary paths, including training a new generation of church choir directors and worship leaders. He and Esther led annual choir tours that built bridges with constituent congregations and potential students, and collaborated with Mennonite Brethren Bible College choirs in oratorio performances and church music seminars. He also contributed to Mennonite hymnody and served on four hymnal committees that produced English and German hymnals. He and Esther led the Faith and Life Male Choir, which made recordings and toured to South America and Ukraine.
After retirement George and Esther continued to serve congregations in Germany, Brazil, and Paraguay in church music roles. George and Esther grieved deeply the untimely death of their son Tim in 2019. The loss of Esther in 2023 was a profound loss, but George chose to invest in music, reading, and his beloved community at Lindenwood Terrace. George delighted in his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
George's personal faith in Jesus was at the centre of his life and music making. He was a faithful member of Mennonite congregations in Winnipeg - Sargent Avenue, Springfield Heights, and Charleswood, where he gladly served in music ministry.
He is survived by his sons Bob (Verna) and Peter (Ruth), and daughter-in-law Marlene; 12 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, David and Margaretha (Ens) Wiebe; daughter Miriam (in infancy); son Tim; his wife, Esther; and several siblings.
The family expresses deepest appreciation for the loving staff of West Park Manor Personal Care Home as well as Grace Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are in care of Birchwood Funeral Chapel.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2026
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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George was my next door neighbour at the Terrace l will always remember our hymy sings when he lead them you always learnt something. Great person he will be missed. - Posted by: Dorothy Lougheed (Friend) on: Jun 07, 2026
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I was so fortunate to sing under Mr George Wiebe in the amazing choirs at Cmbc with the Winnipeg Symphony. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest sympathy to his family! 🙏🙏🙏 - Posted by: Colleen Zehr (Student at Cmbc) on: Jun 06, 2026
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I first met George and Esther when they came out to direct the Alberta Choralfest Choir. I was amazed at what he could bring out of a bunch of average singers and the joy and energy both George and Esther brought to the rehearsals and the music. I decided right then that I wanted to study with him at CMBC. I originally wanted to go for one year but after the first year George income to be one of his conducting students which was a real honour as he only took on a couple of students each year and so I stayed for 3 years. George was a great teacher and mentor to me and I learned so much about conducting, getting the best out of people both as humans and as musicians. His legacy lives on but he is missed. Godspeed George. I hope to hear your heavenly choir! - Posted by: Lara (Student) on: Jun 06, 2026
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I missed George at the Terrace when he left us here. My condolences to the family that he cherished deeply and spoke of with pride. I called him not long after Helmut died. He was thrilled to talk to me. I remember especially two things he shared. The first was that he still wanted to live and then that he was reading C.S. Lewis - letting me know that he was still enjoying life and being active. He also asked me to pass on his greetings to friends here at the Terrace. I will always remember how he planned a skit to interview Fanny Crosby who had come to visit us here. He provided me with the biography of Fanny and questions that I should prepare to answer as Fanny Crosby, suggesting that I dress up and walk with a cane etc. It was always a pleasure to meet up with him in the dining room or elsewhere. He greeted me with a smile and ready to engage in conversation on many topics. I will miss him and will think of the family as you say goodbye. - Posted by: Mary Neufeld (friend) on: Jun 06, 2026
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George leaves a profound legacy on the Mennonite community in Canada and across North America. An excellent musician with an amazing gift at drawing the very best from his students and especially members of he choirs he conducted. As a friend what often drew me to him was his gifted sense of humour and ability to tell a story in a captivating manner. So very talented and yet so humble. - Posted by: Kenneth Reddig (Friend) on: Jun 06, 2026
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I am so sorry to hear of George’s passing. I was privileged to have know him personally, and to have learned from him as a student. My condolences to the family for their loss. I know George will be missed. - Posted by: Jon Tiessen (Family friend) on: Jun 06, 2026
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Dear Family Marie Helen and I had a lengthy and lively cherished visit with George two weeks ago. We will miss him Condolences as you grieve, lament, and fondly remember George‘s rich life Marie Helen and Peter J Dyck - Posted by: Peter J Dyck (Friend) on: Jun 06, 2026