WIENS – Jacob Wiens, beloved husband of the late Mary Wiens, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2017 at Sunrise Gardens at the age of 95 years. He was born to Heinrich and Aganetha (Siemens) Wiens on Oct. 15, 1921 in the village of Karpovka, Memrik, South Russia. Shortly before his third birthday, he immigrated with his parents and younger sister, Helen, to Canada. They arrived in Herbert, Sask. on Sept.1, 1924. After living in Monitor and Provost, Ab. where brothers Jerry and Henry were born, they settled in Springridge, Ab., in the fall of 1927. Siblings Bill and Hilda completed the family. Dad completed Grades 1 to 7 in the Ewelme school and in April 1936 the family moved to Lathom, Ab. Dad was 14 years old. He and his dad loaded most of their personal belongings, machinery and livestock onto a boxcar. When they reached Lathom the boxcar was unhooked on a siding. After they were somewhat settled in their new home, his father returned to get the rest of the family. They travelled for four days – his mother driving a team of horses and a loaded wagon and his dad with the hayrack and five children. During their absence, a neighbor came over to see who had moved in. He said to dad that they should return to where they had come from or else they would starve. Needless to say, dad was very relieved when everyone arrived safely. Dad completed his Grade 8 in Lathom and then, at the age of 15, went out into the workforce. He worked for a number of farmers in the area for the next few years. Dad had a strong Christian faith. He was baptised upon his confession of faith in June, 1943 in the Rosemary Mennonite Church where he was a lifelong member. He attended Menno Bible Institute in Didsbury, Ab. in 1943/44. In Feb. 1944 during his second year of MBI dad received his call to alternate service. After completing his duties in Seebe and Whitecourt, he returned home. Mom and dad announced their engagement in April, 1945 and were married on Sept. 30, 1945. Mom and dad lived in various places in the Rosemary area. In 1953, they purchased a farm north of Rosemary where they raised four children. He especially loved harvest time. In 1987, they retired from farming and moved to the village of Rosemary. They enjoyed their retirement, doing some travelling and staying active in the church and the Gideons. Dad handed out many Gideon testaments to Grade 5 students. When mom’s health began to fail, they moved to the Newbrook Lodge in Brooks, Ab. After mom passed away in 1997, Dad moved to Sunrise Gardens where he was well taken care of. The family would like to sincerely thank the caregivers there for the love and attention they gave our dad. Left to mourn his passing are his loving children: Loreen (Harold) Forrest, Ernest (Kathy), Richard (Esther) and Larry (Susan), 12 grand-children, 17 great-grandchildren, brother Henry (Erna), sister Hilda (Bill) Hubert, brother-in-law Jake (Delores) Eckert , sister-in-law Edna Bittner and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his dear wife, Mary; parents Heinrich and Aganetha Wiens, brothers Jerry and Bill, sister Helen Baergen, sisters-in-law Margaret Eckert, Irene Wiens, Mary Wiens and brothers-in-law Frank Baergen , John Wiebe and Albert Bittner. The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 20th at the Rosemary Mennonite Church at 2 p.m. with Pastor Frank Krulicki officiating. Burial will take place in the Rosemary Cemetery. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Gideons International in Canada, 501 Imperial Road North, Guelph, ON N1H 6T9 or on-line at info@gideons.ca For further information or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
