Zelma Joyce Wiebe

Zelma Joyce Friesen Wiebe was born on July 13, 1943 to Abraham and Helena Friesen in Steinbach, Manitoba. The angels called her home on June 19, 2025, and she peacefully slipped away, three weeks before her eighty-second birthday. 

Mom spent a happy childhood on the farm with her siblings. As a young girl, she accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour. She was baptized on November 21, 1954. She lived a vibrant Christian life with a strong trust in God. At the age of seventeen, Mom moved to St. Mary’s, Ontario, together with her family. A term spent in Gallup was a highlight of her youth life. On April 23, 1966, Mom married the love of her life, Harry Wiebe. God blessed them with three sons and three daughters. Their hearts were saddened when their youngest daughter, Paula Rose, lived only a few short hours, yet Mom graciously accepted God’s will.

 Dad and Mom lived on a farm in Greenland, Manitoba until 1991 when they relocated to Centreville, New Brunswick. They continued farming for five years. In 1996 Dad bought a local hardware store. Mom immersed herself in this new challenge, loving the community involvement and making many friends.Due to Mom’s declining health, they moved back to Manitoba in July of 2024 where Mom became a resident of Maplewood Manor in Steinbach. 

Throughout her life, Mom was committed to serving others. She supported Dad in his years as a deacon. Together they spent many years in mission work, beginning at Jackhead, Manitoba, and then two years in Belize where Dad taught school. They served a few years in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. An opportunity came to live among the Inuit people in Nain, Labrador, for two and a half years. Mom knew no stranger, winning the hearts of the people they met in this remote village. She baked hundreds of cookies for love-starved children, singing with them and reading Bible stories. Another highlight was the year spent at the London Guest Home where they formed strong friendships with the young girls they worked with, and the guests they learned to love. She easily reached out to crying hearts and inspired others to look to Jesus. Her Bible was often open on the kitchen table. Messages in songs were meaningful to her. Mom enjoyed reading, crocheting, puzzling, and gardening. There was always room for one more at her Sunday dinner table. The grandchildren knew they’d find Skittles in the candy dish and cinnamon rolls in the freezer. No one made tacos like Grandma! 

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Maplewood Manor for the wonderful care you showed to Mom during the last year as she steadily weakened from Lewy Body Dementia. A few weeks ago Mom received a clear message from Heaven that was known only by her, and she could relax and quietly wait. We look forward to meeting her in Heaven.

 Survivors include her loving husband, Harry Wiebe, Greenland, Manitoba; five children: Luann and Axel Goossen, Carrot River, Saskatchewan, Joan and Kevin Penner, Roxton Falls, Quebec, Garry, Steinbach, Manitoba, Clayton and Ruth, Swanson, Saskatchewan, Warren and Bonita, Centreville, New Brunswick; siblings: Raymond Friesen, Sherwin and Gladys Friesen, Louise Friesen, Everett Friesen, Herman and Wanda Friesen; Dad’s siblings: Marina Rempel, Emily Dueck, Rennie and Eileen Wiebe, Bernice and Bernie Isaac, Rose and Ron Giesbrecht, Lorna and Jerome Koehn; sixteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

 She was preceded in death by one infant daughter, two brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

A come and go viewing will be held from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Crossings Funeral Care. As well as at the Greenland Church of God in Christ Mennonite, one hour prior to the service.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at Greenland Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Greenland, Manitoba. followed by the interment and reception. Sharing of Memories will follow at 2:00 pm. For those unable to attend the family invites you to join them through audio livestream. Please click here to listen.