Sara "Sadie" Wiebe

Sara "Sadie" Wiebe (nee Giesbrecht), age 87 years, of Altona, Manitoba passed away after a very short illness, on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at the Boundary Trails Health Centre.

Our mom, Sara (Giesbrecht) Wiebe was born to David & Maria Giesbrecht on February 27, 1934, at Neuhofnung, MB completing the family of 10 children. Mom experienced extreme loss when her mother passed away when she was only 3 years old. Later that year, her father remarried to Margaretha Rempel, who was a very loving mother to her.

When Mom started school at Eigenhoff, there was a girl with the same name in school, so it was decided that she would go by the name of Sadie. Mom attended school until the age of 14. She especially enjoyed Christmas & Easter programs. She also enjoyed her life on the farm. Her siblings provided many hours of entertainment for her including activities such as her sisters climbing in a big tin bath tub as a boat, on their flooded yard pushed around by her brothers. She enjoyed writing poetry and drawing as a child and continued that until the end of her life. She had a book of her own poetry compiled last year. A highlight for her, was to have one of her poems put to song last Easter (the song is included in this bulletin).

At the age of 14, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour and was baptized upon the confession of her faith in June of 1952. This decision gave her meaning & direction, and was a lifelong decision and way of life for her for the years that followed.

Not long after, Sara became intrigued by a set of twins at the church, but the one in particular that caught her attention was Peter Wiebe. It didn't take long for them to realize their love for each other. They were married on July 20, 1952 and enjoyed 67 wonderful years together.

Mom & Dad were blessed with 7 children, 26 Grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

Over the years, Mom & Dad’s lives took some twists and turns as they lived in various areas including the New Hope area, Roland, Roseau River, Vita, Gretna and then to Altona Buffalo apartments.

Mom was a stay at home mom! It was so nice to come home to someone waiting for us and maybe even fresh baking awaiting us. Mom was consistent in her parenting, loved unconditionally and taught us the importance of learning to work. She taught us to cook, to do dishes, to do gardening and canning the produce. She loved gardening and always had extra to share. She also loved flowers. She taught us to appreciate the simple things in life. Mom had an amazing gift of hospitality. There was always room at the table for one more. She often said that you could always add to the soup to stretch it out a bit further to feed a few more.

Mom was a woman of faith and integrity. Church attendance & Bible Study was always important to her. Over the years, Mom enjoyed working on various church committees, singing in choirs & groups and playing the church organ (until her passing).

After the children were mostly gone from home, Mom worked as a Home care aid, and later enjoyed working together with Dad to paint houses for others. She also enjoyed volunteering at Eastview Place and Mom & dad enjoyed volunteering together, at the Altona MCC store.

Although Mom’s eyesight deteriorated, she still enjoyed knitting. About a year ago, Mom was given a very large tote of yarn, which she knitted into mittens, toques, and scarves; many of which were donated to Union Gospel Mission (one of her many favourite missions). Just last week, she used the last yarn. Her love for poetry, drawing, and music was a constant enjoyment.

Mom loved her family immensely and will be so missed!

She is survived by her 7 children: Ernie (Vivian), Linda (Peter Schulz), Mathilda (Jake Hiebert), Gladys (Jim Wiebe), Lois (John Penner), Sandra (Bevan Wiebe) and Harvey (Connie), as well as by 26 grandchildren and their spouses, and 32 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her in-laws including Henry & Anne Schellenberg, Abe & Martha Wiebe & John Wiebe and many nieces & nephews and many friends. She was predeceased by her husband Peter Wiebe in October of 2019. She was also predeceased by her parents and all her siblings, and their spouses.

A private graveside service was held at the Altona Cemetery on March 28, 2021

Donations in memory of Sara "Sadie" Wiebe may be made to Union Gospel Mission.