Rennie P. Wiebe

Rennie Wiebe was born on September 12, 1938, in Steinbach, MB, to Gerhard (George) and Lillie Wiebe. He was the 3rd of 7 children. He quietly slipped away and went to be with his maker at the Maplewood Manor on September 6, 2025, just 6 days before his 87th birthday. On July 27, 1962, Dad married Eileen Wohlgemuth, daughter of Henry and Edna Wohlgemuth. They shared life’s joys and sorrows for 63 years. Together, they raised 7 sons and three daughters. Dad was baptized into the church of God in Christ Mennonite on November 17, 1949, by Minister John M. Penner. Dad was a conscientious man. He faithfully kept his commitments to God, the Church, and his wife and family until he was called home.

During Dad’s growing-up years, his father was regularly away on deacon duty. He was given quite a bit of responsibility from a young age and also enjoyed doing repairs around the farm.

Later, Dad bought his Uncle’s dairy farm half a mile down the road and moved there when he got married. The dairy lifestyle conflicted with other commitments, so he sold his quota and the cows. Someone offered him a load of piglets, so he bought them. Consequently, he became a pig farmer for the rest of his working life. For many years, Dad made a monthly trip to the Gerber farm at Fort Francis, Ontario, and brought home a load of piglets. He would always take one or two of us along.

Dad worked with what he had and repaired what didn’t work. He taught us a lot of different trades, including complex mechanical repairs, building renovations, animal husbandry, and general farm work. Dad took a special interest in working with cows and later with sows. He was quick to detect these animals’ health issues.

Dad taught us to enjoy our work. He liked to sing when he was doing something tedious. We clearly remember him singing “Glorious Peace”, “The Haven of Rest,” and other similar songs over and over again. It seemed to speak to his soul. Dad was a humble man and was quick to confess his faults. He was keenly aware of his sinful nature and his need of a Saviour.

Dad liked to travel, especially to visit family. We would regularly bundle into the car and head over to visit relatives. He tried to take each of the children along on at least one long trip. The destinations included Texas, Mexico, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Belize, and Guatemala.

Mom and Dad keenly felt their responsibility to teach us the truth. Daily family devotions were very important to Dad. His prayers were heartfelt and warm. In our teenage years, Dad would patiently listen as we shared our struggles and trials with him. It didn’t matter if it was the middle of the day or night.

Upon retirement, Dad took up woodworking. He had a perfectionist streak that really shone through in his projects. The more complex and detailed the projects were, the more he liked them. His last project was a little step stool with one of several mosaic wood patterns for the top. He kept building these until a month before his passing.

In the fall of 2022, Dad was diagnosed with cancer and spent the winter in the hospital. He prayed often that he could be healed and keenly felt that he wanted to be there for Mom as long as she needed him. Dad’s prayers were answered, and he was granted 2 ½ more good years at the Maplewood Manor.

In the closing days of his life, Dad spoke of his regrets with tears in his eyes. He said he felt like he was ready to go. He wished for a stronger feeling of assurance, but there was no guilt on his soul, and he wanted to fly away.

We, as a family, would like to thank the Maplewood Manor Staff for the wonderful care Dad received.

Left to mourn his passing are Mom, Maplewood Manor, Steinbach; his children, Delton and Susanna, Hythe AB, Linford and Tina, Ste. Anne, Rodney and Maria, Tatamagouche NS; Edna and Mark Reimer, Steinbach; Dorwin and Tanya, Crystal City; Lanita and Frank Froese, Steinbach; Laura and Kendall Friesen, Birnie; Fredrick and Amy, Ste Anne; Daniel and Roxi, Kenora ON; and Clinton, Niverville; 36 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. His brother Harry; sisters, Marina Rempel, Emily Dueck, Bernice and Bernie Isaac, Rose and Ron Giesbrecht, Lorna and Jerome Koehn. Mom’s siblings, Linden and Alice Wohlgemuth, Herbert Friesen, Ron and Mildred Wohlgemuth, Nina and Orville Friesen, Vivian Bartel, Henrietta and Jesse Friesen, Myrle and Ethelyn Wohlgemuth, Florence and Ralph Warkentin, and Martha and Garry Warkentin. He was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law, and from Mom’s family, one brother, two sisters, one brother-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

Viewing and visitation with a short program at Crossings Funeral Care, Steinbach, Manitoba, on Wednesday, September 10, 7:00 pm.

Funeral service at Greenland Church on Thursday, September 11, at 10:30 am, viewing 1 hour prior, with reception and sharing of memories to follow the burial.

For those of you who would like to join the family in listening to the funeral service on an audio stream, please click the link here.