Tribute

Walter Eric Wiens passed away on September 25, 2023, at the age of 89 in Abbotsford, BC. He was born on July 9, 1934, in Carrot River, Saskatchewan. Walter was a loving and hardworking family man with a great sense of humour and a strong connection to his faith.

Walter grew up in Saskatchewan and then moved to B.C. as a young man where he met and married Eileen Epp. He worked as a meat packer in Vancouver and Red Deer, Alberta.  In 1966 he bought a dairy farm on Nicomen Island (Deroche, BC) with his father. He had a successful career as a dairy farmer for 28 years. During those years, along with farming and raising four children, he was an active member of the Cedar Valley Mennonite Church, where he served as choir director for fifteen years.

In 1994, he and Eileen retired, sold the farm, and moved to Kelowna. They then became “snowbirds”, spending their winters in Mexico and Arizona. In their trailer park in Casa Grande, AZ, Walter took an interest in cactus, and cultivated a beautiful cactus garden on a spare lot behind their park model home. They were active in the on-site church, and Walter coordinated several annual variety shows, acting as emcee and leading his own small choral group with Eileen at the piano. He bantered with the audience, interjecting many of his signature joke stories, making the evening a very popular and anticipated event.

During their time in Kelowna, they jointly purchased a twelve acre lot near 70 Mile House with a friend, Peter Ens of Mission. Over the course of four summers, Walter built a cabin with the intent of creating a family recreation and gathering spot. When it was completed, he and Eileen sold their home in Kelowna and moved to 70 Mile House, still going south for the winters. In 2014 they bought a condo in Abbotsford, where they lived until Eileen’s death in 2018.

Walter and Rose Ardies became acquainted as they lived in the same condo complex and attended the same church (Bakerview MB).  They married shortly afterwards, and more recently joined the Clearbrook MB Church.

Walter is survived by his wife, Rose Ardies, his daughters Colleen (Steve) Penner, Tamara (Gil) Knapp, Tracey (Zdeno) Rusnak, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Irmgard Enns and Ellinor Fieguth, and numerous nieces and nephews. Walter was predeceased by his parents, Erich and Anna, his wife Eileen, and son Michael.

A memorial service to celebrate Walter’s life will be held on October 13, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Clearbrook MB Church. A private family inurnment will take place earlier at Hatzic Cemetery where he will be laid to rest next to his parents.

Walter Eric Wiens will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. His memory will be cherished and his legacy will live on.