Obituary for Evelyn Wiens
Our mom, Evelyn Wiens (nee Giesbrecht) passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at her residence at Lion’s Personal Care Centre. She was surrounded by her family and caring staff. Evelyn turned 93 years old on July 22/22.
Evelyn was born in 1929 in her parents’ farm house near Lowe Farm, MB. She was the youngest child in her family and was doted on by her father. Mom loved music and drama and participated in a school play called ‘David Copperfield’ which was a highlight of her high school years.
In grade 11, the local school board asked students in her school if they would like to become ‘permit’ teachers in rural schools in the area due to a growing need for teachers. Mom accepted, excited by the opportunity. She returned to school for grade 12 the following year and graduated in 1947. On her 20th birthday in 1949 she married her sweetheart Henry Wiens, almost 8 years her senior. Dad always joked he had waited for her to reach the age of majority so he could marry her.
The first year of their marriage was spent as a working team - teacher and caretaker - at a rural school near Grunthal, MB They often reminisced about this adventure of their first year of marriage.
Mom and Dad later moved back to Lowe farm where they farmed with Dad’s family while mom continued to teach at the local school and dad drove the school bus picking up all the kids in the area.
They moved to Altona, MB in the 60’s where mom continued teaching elementary school and dad worked for Friesen Printing. In 1968, they made the move to the big city of Winnipeg for a new job for Dad. They were also expecting their 4th child -a bit unexpectedly- 13 years after the first 3 kids!
Mom continued to teach till 1972 then took a break before embarking on 2 new careers - one as a health care aid at Bethania Personal Care Centre and the other as a bus tour guide with Fehrway Tours, with Dad as her co-guide! Mom continued with these 2 careers until her retirement at 65 in 1994.
In retirement she again partnered with Dad, helping to establish the ‘Good Neighbour’s Senior Centre’ where they created and managed a band who performed in senior’s homes and public events.
Mom and Dad loved travelling. They hosted a tour to Europe in 1968 and travelled all over North America with Fehrway Tours. They spent many winters in Hawaii after Dad retired in 1980. In 1986, after spending the winter in Hawaii they flew to Australia and New Zealand. Mom also travelled to Mexico with her daughters and friend where she insisted they take the local bus from Mexico City to Acapulco! What an adventure!
Mom’s faith was alway important to her. She lived by the motto ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. She reached out to people in need and did voluntary service with Dad at church and with Mennonite Central Committee.
After Dad passed away in 2004, Mom slowed down and enjoyed the company of her fellow senior residents at Donwood Manor and Lions Manor. She spread joy and laughter to all those she came in contact with and made several close friends along the way. She loved going out to eat and on outings with ‘her girls’, daughters Gwen and Jennifer and son Dean.
She found the pandemic difficult as she wasn’t able to leave her facility due to restrictions but treasured her visits with her family and spending time in the Lions manor garden. These visits and time in the garden brought her comfort in her last days.
Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Anna and Jacob Giesbrecht, sister Susan Groening (Ed), 2 brothers, Jake and Abe, son Barry, daughter-in-laws Debbie amd Sharon and granddaughter Amanda Wiens. She’s survived by her daughter-in-law Georgia (Barry), grandsons Collin and Darren, son Dean, granddaughter Melissa (Keith), daughter Gwen(Ed) and grandson Cole, daughter Jennifer and great grandchildren Austyn, Wyatt, Zoey, Casey and Zayden.
Celebration of life will be held on Wednesday October 19, 2022 at Mosaic Funeral Services, 1839 Inkster Blvd. at 11:00am
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lions Personal Care Centre, Recreation Program.
Evelyn was born in 1929 in her parents’ farm house near Lowe Farm, MB. She was the youngest child in her family and was doted on by her father. Mom loved music and drama and participated in a school play called ‘David Copperfield’ which was a highlight of her high school years.
In grade 11, the local school board asked students in her school if they would like to become ‘permit’ teachers in rural schools in the area due to a growing need for teachers. Mom accepted, excited by the opportunity. She returned to school for grade 12 the following year and graduated in 1947. On her 20th birthday in 1949 she married her sweetheart Henry Wiens, almost 8 years her senior. Dad always joked he had waited for her to reach the age of majority so he could marry her.
The first year of their marriage was spent as a working team - teacher and caretaker - at a rural school near Grunthal, MB They often reminisced about this adventure of their first year of marriage.
Mom and Dad later moved back to Lowe farm where they farmed with Dad’s family while mom continued to teach at the local school and dad drove the school bus picking up all the kids in the area.
They moved to Altona, MB in the 60’s where mom continued teaching elementary school and dad worked for Friesen Printing. In 1968, they made the move to the big city of Winnipeg for a new job for Dad. They were also expecting their 4th child -a bit unexpectedly- 13 years after the first 3 kids!
Mom continued to teach till 1972 then took a break before embarking on 2 new careers - one as a health care aid at Bethania Personal Care Centre and the other as a bus tour guide with Fehrway Tours, with Dad as her co-guide! Mom continued with these 2 careers until her retirement at 65 in 1994.
In retirement she again partnered with Dad, helping to establish the ‘Good Neighbour’s Senior Centre’ where they created and managed a band who performed in senior’s homes and public events.
Mom and Dad loved travelling. They hosted a tour to Europe in 1968 and travelled all over North America with Fehrway Tours. They spent many winters in Hawaii after Dad retired in 1980. In 1986, after spending the winter in Hawaii they flew to Australia and New Zealand. Mom also travelled to Mexico with her daughters and friend where she insisted they take the local bus from Mexico City to Acapulco! What an adventure!
Mom’s faith was alway important to her. She lived by the motto ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. She reached out to people in need and did voluntary service with Dad at church and with Mennonite Central Committee.
After Dad passed away in 2004, Mom slowed down and enjoyed the company of her fellow senior residents at Donwood Manor and Lions Manor. She spread joy and laughter to all those she came in contact with and made several close friends along the way. She loved going out to eat and on outings with ‘her girls’, daughters Gwen and Jennifer and son Dean.
She found the pandemic difficult as she wasn’t able to leave her facility due to restrictions but treasured her visits with her family and spending time in the Lions manor garden. These visits and time in the garden brought her comfort in her last days.
Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Anna and Jacob Giesbrecht, sister Susan Groening (Ed), 2 brothers, Jake and Abe, son Barry, daughter-in-laws Debbie amd Sharon and granddaughter Amanda Wiens. She’s survived by her daughter-in-law Georgia (Barry), grandsons Collin and Darren, son Dean, granddaughter Melissa (Keith), daughter Gwen(Ed) and grandson Cole, daughter Jennifer and great grandchildren Austyn, Wyatt, Zoey, Casey and Zayden.
Celebration of life will be held on Wednesday October 19, 2022 at Mosaic Funeral Services, 1839 Inkster Blvd. at 11:00am
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lions Personal Care Centre, Recreation Program.