John Frank Wiens

Obituary

Peacefully, at the Grace Hospital on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, John Frank Wiens, our beloved Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather passed away.

John was born June 15, 1926 on the family farm in Glenlea Manitoba. He grew up on that farm with his five brothers and two sisters.

He was baptized on his confession of faith in 1947, at the Glenlea Mennonite Church. His faith was strong, and it was the foundation for how he lived his life. He was an active member of the church and held many leadership roles throughout the years.

Dad met Alice, his lifelong “sweetie” in 1953, at a house party. They were married on June 15, 1955, and lived happily together until Alice passed in 2017,. He missed her dearly every day after that.

Dad and Mom farmed near St. Agathe for 23 years where they raised their five children. Dad loved farming, but when he had a chance, he loved to take his family camping and to new places. He loved to fish, play golf, and play chess and crib.

In 1978, Dad and Mom sold the farm and moved to Oakbluff where Dad and his brother Pete owned and operated Wiens Chev Olds. During this time Dad and Mom started traveling more. Dad was adventurous and loved road trips. They saw much of Canada and the USA this way. Their favourite trip was going to see Linda and Mike in Texas, and then in North Carolina.

During his retirement years he loved going to help his boys at the nursery. He spent many hours on the tractor tilling, and was still doing this last summer. He would have been happy to be there this spring, but although his spirit was willing, sadly his body was not.

Dad was the proud head of our family. You could see that pride every time we were all gathered together. Lately he was happy giving his great grandchildren a ride on his scooter. Dad was an inspiration and role model for our family, and we will miss him dearly. We are happy though that he has now been reunited with his one and only Sweetie.

Left to celebrate his life are his children: Linda (Michael Arnaud), Marilyn (Glenn Friesen), Donald (Lynette), Dorothy (Don Tkachyk), Johnny (Jenn), ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters.

Dad was predeceased by his loving wife Alice, his father and mother, Frank and Agenita Wiens, and three brothers, Jake, Frank, and Ike.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, viewing to begin at 1:00 p.m., the service to begin at 2:00 p.m., at the Glenlea Mennonite Church. The burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Donations in memory of John may be made to Mennonite Central Committee,134 Plaza Drive; Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9 or Mennonite Collegiate Institute, 466 Mary Street, Gretna, MB, R0G 0V0.