Tribute

Elvira was born March 13, 1937 in present-day Ukraine. Her parents were Abram and Helene (Voth) Wiens. Elvira was the middle of three children. Her older brother Heinz passed away from pneumonia. At age four, Elvira watched as her father was taken by Soviet police into prison.  Helene, Elvira and Lina, her younger sister, moved to a village with a tribe of Mongolian people named Kasachen in German.  After one year, Elvira’s mom and sister passed away. Elvira was taken in by a friend of Helene’s. Elvira’s tante, Justina Voth, found Elvira at age eleven and took her to her home. She stayed with her tante for three years.

At age 36 Abram was released from prison. He met a woman named Luise Sasse. They married three days after meeting. Elvira joined the new family.  Luise had three children: Lina, Walter and Lydia. The family immigrated to Germany when Elvira was 19. Elvira went to bible school in Switzerland, Bienenberg, for one year. In 1957 the family immigrated to Canada and Luise had four more children;  Gerdy, Dorothy, John and Tim.   Abram, Luise and Elvira were baptized at Elmwood MB Church.

A young man named Jacob Reimer caught Elvira’s eye and a friendship began. They married in 1959. Soon after, the young couple moved to Vancouver where they had their three loved children: Henry, Karin and Jake. Jacob and Elvira enjoyed going to the beaches in Vancouver and vacationed in Hawaii many times. They were happy to celebrate at their children’s weddings and were very pleased to have six grandchildren: Amanda, Melissa, Lindsey, Jordan, Vanessa and Christian. Elvira was also excited to have three great granddaughters: Annalea, Lucia and Elysia.

Elvira and Jacob moved to Abbotsford in 2000 and in 2009 they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Elvira volunteered many hours sewing blankets and making meals. Jacob had his first stroke in 2005 and soon after moved into Tabor Home. Jacob passed away in 2012. At the beginning of 2024, Elvira’s health started to decline and she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

She passed away on August 25.  Elvira will be remembered for her resiliency, generous spirit, faith, hosting suppers of

blueberry vereniki and dumplings, baking brownies, the love of dominos and love for her grandchildren.