WIEBE: Katie

October 30, 1931 - January 31, 2024

Our Mom, Katie Wiebe, was born on October 30, 1931, in Simpson, SK, the daughter of Mennonite immigrants, Jacob and Elizabeth (Kroeker) Schellenberg. Growing up the second of eleven children, her pioneer life of country school, farm chores, and tending horses, was suddenly changed when, at age 14, her mother passed away. She and her next younger sister were required to leave school and stay home to care for the family. It was a hard time for the sisters. At age 16, Mom got a job as a house helper for a woman in Watrous who taught her much about cooking, cleaning and community life. In 1953 she married a local fellow, John Wiebe, and together they operated a mixed farm. Five children were born to them during these years: Rod, Ruth, Marlene, Amy, and Stan. In 1976, they sold the farm and moved to Kelowna, BC, where Mom got a job at a newspaper office and later at a tailor shop. In Kelowna, they attended Gospel Fellowship church where Dad and Mom sat in the same pew every week for 35 years. Their next move was to Abbotsford, BC, in 2012, where they lived near their youngest son, Stan. After Dad passed away, Mom moved to a suite in Menno Place. She enjoyed her time there, filling the days with new friends, knitting, music, reading, jigsaw puzzles and group activities. She even learned to paint. As her health began to decline, and Covid destroyed her social life, she decided to move back to SK. In SK, she lived with her daughter, Ruth, for two years, before moving to Assisted Living in Middle Lake. While in Watrous, at age 90, she took lessons to learn to play the banjolele. Mom loved the old hymns, and her teacher taught her many of them on her new instrument, and they would play and sing them together. In November of 2023, she moved into the care home in Lanigan for six weeks, and next to Manitou Lodge in Watrous, where she passed away 3 weeks later. We remember Mom as someone who enjoyed people and was very hospitable. In her words, there was always room for one more. Even in assisted living, with no kitchen of her own, she asked for a small fridge and some ice teas as well as cookies and candies, so that she had something to offer when people stopped by. She was especially pleased to give treats to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mom is predeceased by her husband, her mother, father, and stepmother; her brothers Peter (in infancy), John, Abe, Henry, Arnold, Ernie; her sisters Louise, Frieda, Niela, Erna; two infant granddaughters, and her son-in-law, Craig Hollands. She is survived by (those who call her Mom) Rod and Ronda, Ruth and Herb, Marlene, Marilyn, Amy, Stan and Renita, as well as 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and her sister, Anne.

Katie Wiebe, aged 92 years, of Watrous, SK passed away at Manitou Lodge - Watrous District Health Complex, Watrous, SK on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024. A Memorial Service will take place on May 18, 2024. Interment will take place in Bethany Cemetery. For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation to the Mennonite Central Committee in Katie Wiebe's memory, please visit https://fotheringham-mcdougall.com/