John Henry Wiebe
April 11, 1942 - April 29, 2021
With heavy sadness in our hearts, we announce the passing of our fun-loving Dad and Poppa/Grandpa, John Henry Wiebe.
John passed away peacefully, at home with his wife Helen by his side, on April 29, 2021.
John was predeceased by his wife Eleanor; his parents, Heinrich J and Susanna (nee Voth) Wiebe of Neuhoffnung district; his sisters, Anne DeGroot (Wiebe), Katherine Braun (Wiebe), Mary Wiebe, Justina Wiebe, Verna Dueck (Wiebe) and his brother Cornelius Wiebe
John will be forever remembered by so many. He leaves behind his loving wife, Helen; his children Wesley (Sherry) Wiebe, Robert (Tammy) Wiebe, Ronald Wiebe, and Debby (John) Hertz; and his precious grandchildren Heather (Chad), Ryan (Amelia), Hayley, Amy, Brayden, Michael, Colin, Matthew, Jadine and Blake; his brother Rudy (Mary) Wiebe and his family, along with countless other family and friends who were blessed to know him.
John was born in Altona, Manitoba on April 11, 1942, the last of 9 children.
John met Eleanor and they married on July 24, 1964. They moved to Winnipeg and in 1973, they purchased a plot of land at Victoria Beach where John designed and built a cabin to escape the city and have a ‘picnic’. John missed the quiet country life and in 1976 he and Eleanor settled on an acreage near Lockport, Manitoba. There John designed and built a unique home for his family and created a wholesome life.
Ever the farmer at heart, John, raised many different animals and cut and baled hay for them. He could repair anything, vehicles, tractors, small engines, and was knowledgeable in all trades, plumbing, electrical, wood finishing, welding….
His love for nature and fishing inspired him to craft his own canoe, plant a forest and dig a pond on his acreage and every year harvest a bounty of fresh food from the garden. Every visit the grandkids would look forward to a ‘golf cart’ ride through the forest, picking raspberries, strawberries, carrots, or peas from the garden, always climbing the incredible trees in the front yard, and of course the giggles because of Grandpa’s silly sense of humor. It was an incredible nourishing life he created for his family, encouraging responsibility, and balancing hard work with play, by growing up in the country and spending summer weekends at the cabin.
John worked as a media technician at Red River Community College, he retired in 1997 when he decided to turn his beekeeping hobby into a full-time adventure, caring for over 100 hives.
He had many hobbies, interests, inspirations and could fix, build, or create anything, whatever problem or challenge came up, John found a way to make it happen or get it done. When something caught his interest, nothing could stop him.
Tragically Eleanor fell ill with ALS and John was by her side caring for her lovingly for years, until she sadly lost her battle.
He then turned his attention to raising birds, dewlap geese, ducks, guinea fowl to name a few. He was then blessed to have Helen enter his life. She instantly became his best friend and brought him so much joy and happiness. They had so much in common, the same friends, the same great sense of humor and would laugh and talk for hours. John married his ‘sweet-heart’ on Sep 22, 2020 and when John fell ill, Helen was right by his side, with help from his son Rob and grandsons Brayden and Michael, caring for him lovingly.
John lived a full and rich life filled with lots of fun and laughs and love. He touched many a life and will be fondly remembered for his fun and jokes, his wisdom, and stories of all his adventures over coffee, his love for cooking and emailing jokes or sharing pictures of his creations. A lot of smiles and laughs and being silly.
John, our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and dear friend, you may be released from this earth, but we know you will watch us, guide us, love us and always be by our side. You will be deeply missed but we will see you “on page two”, as you always said instead of goodbye. May you Rest In Peace
Due to Current restrictions, a family graveside service will be held.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of John Wiebe, please visit our floral store.