Frank D. Wiebe

 

Donations in memory of Frank may be made to Boundary Trials Health Centre Cancer Unit; Box 2000 Station Main Winkler, MB R6W 1H8.

Frank D. Wiebe died on December 2, 2016 after a valiant battle with cancer.

 

On January 4, 1942, a baby boy was born to Katharina (Dyck) and Frank W. Wiebe Sr. in the small Mennonite village of Blumenort, MB. Frank’s parents, together with their family, moved to Mather in 1952.

 

Frank enjoyed math and always lamented the fact that he had to quit school after grade eight to help with the farm work. He was an avid baseball player and filled the position of catcher for the Mather baseball team. 

 

Frank and Mert married in 1964 after a four-year courtship which began when Frank was just 18. Frank’s love for his wife was one of the strongest attributes in his character. His dedication to his wife lasted until his death. 

 

Frank jockeyed back and forth between two occupations throughout his life, both of which he was immensely proud. In the early years of his marriage he started farming on his own, operating a mixed farm which included dairy, hogs and grain. In 1973, after the addition of four children to the family, Frank and Mert moved to Calgary, AB. Frank landed the job that secured the skills he would turn to at many other times in his life; he installed aluminium siding and facia on quite a few homes during the 70’s housing boom. 

 

In 1976 the farm where Frank spent his childhood came up for sale and he was enticed to move back to Mather and pursue farming again. Frank established a large herd of cattle and worked the land. In 1981, Frank and Mert purchased farmland in Australia. Frank worked the land and pursued his second occupation, installing aluminium housing products, to support his family. After two years immersed in the Australian culture, the familiar ways and faces of southern Manitoba called them home again, to the home farm. Frank never really retired but always enjoyed his work, turning again to home improvement after renting out his land and selling his cattle. If cancer had not come Frank would be working on a renovation somewhere today.

 

Frank enjoyed music and the outdoors. Several hunting trips proved successful and Frank was proud to mount some of his trophies on the walls of his home. Of special pleasure to Frank were his fly-in trips up north with Bob. Frank took great pride in fishing with his grandchildren down at Badger creek. Frank started to learn the violin in his 60’s and gave his family little performances to judge his progress when they would come to visit. Singing with The Choristers was also a joy to Frank. One of Frank’s greatest achievements was the completion of the new home on their farm. He was so pleased to share it with Mert and put the best finishing touches on it.

 

Frank was baptized and joined Mather Mennonite Church in 1961. Participating on the construction committee of Trinity Mennonite Fellowship in the late 70’s was a highlight for Frank and participating in this grass roots effort was his way of showing support. His religion was not something he talked about much although he did yell up the stairs to his children, “Go to sleep and don’t forget to pray!”

 

In 2015, Frank was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He wanted so badly to live, he still had things he wanted to do. Frank had an inept ability to persevere through hardships and met the challenge of cancer with the same attitude. 

 

Frank is survived by his wife, Mert; children: Tim (Diane) and their children, Brendon and Ashleigh; Sheila (Clare Reimer) and their children, Derek (Michelle) and their daughter Krista, Lori, and Dylan; Bob and his children Preslie and Harlan; and Jill (Stan Hofer) and their children Cole and Ian.