Tribute

Anna Wiebe was with us until 6:20 am, January 30, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Diedrich Klassen and Helena Loewen. She completed her life while a resident of Maplewood House, Abbotsford, B.C. Our mother died of old age. Anna was born in Gretna, Manitoba, in the Municipality of Rhineland on June 20, 1930. She was married to Jacob Krahn Wiebe July 29, 1950. They lived in Winnipeg until 1997 and then moved to Abbotsford, B.C. in order to be closer to some in their family. Anna first came to Winnipeg in 1946 as a sixteen-year-old to work. She eventually settled on a position in a sewing factory. Once married, however, her working-outside-the-home days were over. She had a new home and growing family to tend to. By the late 1950s both Anna and Jake had committed their lives to Christ. Over the years they served in various capacities, either separately or together, teaching Sunday school, new believer and marriage classes, care groups and as deacon and deaconess. In her work as deaconess, Anna’s demeanor was characterized by fellow church member, Marg Humphrey, in connection with her 90th birthday as a “sweet person, always a kind word, always a smile. … Always the love of the Lord would shine through her attitude and actions. … I never knew a time when she was not supportive and encouraging. … I will never forget you, Anne. You are a very special lady.” A life fully lived, Anna was primarily an active mother of five. But, we didn’t take all of her time. Along the way she knitted afghans and sewed clothing, not only for herself and her children, but also the grandchildren; assisted with the newborn grandchildren; how many times did we see Tupperware with a strip of masking tape bearing her name—baking for a church or some other event; was a cook at Bird River Bible Camp; enjoyed a ride on Paul’s Harley-Davidson, but sadly, left unfulfilled a wish for a hot-air balloon ride. Anna was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Jake, in 2015. She is survived by her five children: Rick, Terry (Diane), (Red Deer, Alta.), Gail Chamberlain (Paul), Judy Wardrop (Mark), (Ottawa, Ont.), and Tim (Debbie) (London, Ont.); nine grandchildren, Matthew (Nikki), Christie and James Wiebe, Tyler (Raechel) and James Chamberlain, Lindsey and Kaitlyn (Eric) Wardrop, Olivia and Lauren Wiebe; and four great grandchildren, Cadence, Sophia and Ava Chamberlain and Sebastian Gray Dokken. Anna will also be remembered by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Our mother was the eighth of eleven children and is the longest living and last surviving of her siblings. In the closing paragraph of her Life Story and Testimony she wrote, ”I will continue on my journey until Jesus comes to take me home.” Done! Our mother Anna will be greatly missed, always loved and never forgotten. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Milena Campbell for providing our mother with medical care in recent years, Menno Place for providing assisted living accommodation and Maplewood House, where our mother received exceptional care for the fourteen months that she was a resident. Plans to celebrate our mother’s life will likely coincide with our triennial family reunion, next planned for July 7-10, 2022.