Lillian Wiebe

Lillian (Lill) Wiebe nee : Dyck

On the early Spring day of March 22nd, 1931, Lily Dyck – Lill to all of us – entered this world. She was the last of thirteen children born to Abram and Nellie Dyck of Morden, Manitoba. Mom spent all her childhood years in Morden.

On April 21st, 1949 Lill married Hank R. Wiebe. Together they had four children, Wendy, Terry, Pam and Jennifer. Most of their married life was spent in Altona.

Mom was a very brave woman. In the Spring of 1974, having no experience in Retail whatever, Lill opened the first Flower Shop in Altona. The Altona Flower Shop anchored her to the community, and the community to her. Twenty-five years later Lill sold the business in order to retire. She was bored stiff, and, shortly thereafter became perhaps Altona’s most successful and sought after taste test lady, working both at IGA and at the Co-op. Needless to say she also had a strong competitive streak in her nature.

Lill was very liberal minded, non-judgmental and always discrete. As a result many people confided in her. She always helped them in any way she could. She had a special affinity for teens and young adults, who found a great and willing listener in Lill.

Mom had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and read voraciously all her adult life. She literally read whatever she could get her hands on. Puzzles not so much, but, she loved to do the crossword puzzle in the daily paper, and loved to play cards. There was always a game of Solitaire on the kitchen table.

Mom’s voice was exceptional, but probably not for the right reasons. She loved to sing; long, and loud. The louder the better. When we were kids we’d often wake up to her rendition of “Home on the Range” and we’d know that our mom was ready for us, and for the day!

In later life Lill began a love affair with birds. She loved to watch them, count them, and feed them. Her dear friend Mary Krueger was a constant companion in her ornithologic education.

We’ve gathered today to celebrate the life of Lill Wiebe, our Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, and friend. She will always be lovingly remembered, and talked about, by her family, Wendy Kehler, her daughter Teri and her husband Gratton Stefanation, daughter Lisa Kehler and her son Oliver, Terry Wiebe and his wife Roma, their daughter Rachel and her husband Justin Hildebrandt, son Josh, Pam Friesen and her husband Tim, son Matt and his partner Jen, their children Maevis and Hannah, daughter Sarah and her husband Dan Maguet, their children Isabelle and Charlotte, daughter Joanna and her husband Noah Ginter, their children Esme and Claire, Jennifer and her partner Glenda Siis and their many pets, and by many relatives and friends.

Lill was predeceased by her husband Hank, son-in-law Ron Kehler, and by all of her siblings.