Tribute

Franz Wiens was born to Abram and Susan Wiens on April 4th, 1935. The family had eight siblings and Franz was the youngest boy of the family. He grew up in the village of Karlsuhe in Fernheim, Paraguay. Here he went to school until grade six. After that he decided to help his dad on the farm.

Franz  became a Christian in Karlsuhe and was baptized upon his faith in 1951. In this village he also met his wife, Neta Sawatsky. By 1956 they were married and remained married for sixty-seven years.   Franz and Neta were blessed with five children, Artur, Annie, Irene, Erwin, and Arvid, and ten grandchildren with fifteen great-grandchildren.

In the early years of their marriage, they frequently moved around in the Chaco while Franz tried many different ways to provide for the family. In 1960, Franz was able to purchase a bakery. This is where his children have many fond memories. To this day, Franz is still known as “Baker Wiens” or “Batcha Wiens.”

In 1976 Franz’s dream to move to Canada was fulfilled. The whole family of seven moved to Abbotsford. Moving to Canada where everything was new and different was not easy for anyone. The family found their way to King Road Church in 1977 and Franz and Neta soon became members of the church. Together they served in many ways. They picked up elderly people and drove them to church, they helped with the MCC Relief Sales, and they assisted in the kitchen for over one-hundred funerals.

Together, Franz and Neta moved to Menno Place in 2019. They enjoyed living there with kind neighbours and food served to them everyday.  Last year on June 2nd, Neta died very suddenly at the age of eighty-eight. Part of Franz died that day as well.

On Tuesday, May 28th, Franz died in the Abbotsford Regional Hospital. He went to heaven to be with Jesus and his beloved wife.