Irene Helen Wiebe

(nee Jentzsch)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Irene Helen Wiebe, our loving Mother, Sister, Aunt and Grandmother on October 21, 2011.

Irene was predeceased by her husband Nick in 1974, her parents Otto in 1975 & Emma in 1978, brother Karl Jentzsch in 1994 and sister Wanda Hinther in 2000.

Irene leaves to mourn her passing her four children: Kenneth, Nicholas (Janet), David & Kathleen; her four cherished Grand Children: Nicholas (Kayla), Jared, Kelsey & Carson; brother Herb Jentzsch (Olga) and sister Wally Yallits. Auntie Irene will also be sadly missed by her nieces and nephews Bernice Penner (Bill), Ken Hinther (Carole), Karen Profeta (Joe), Karla Yallits, Keith Yallits (Sheri), Lynn Jentzsch & Cheryl Kubish (Peter) and many great nieces and nephews.

Irene was the youngest of 7 children, born July 24, 1926 in the small town of Veregin Saskatchewan, where she lived until the family moved to Winnipeg in 1931.

She grew up in the North End where she attended Machary School on Mountain Avenue and St. John’s High School on Church Street.

On September 3, 1949 Irene married Nick and in 1955 they moved to Norwood where they would raise their four children.

Irene’s first job was with Eaton’s mail order catalogue before getting married. After her husband’s passing in 1974, Irene returned to work for Esso on Marion Street where she retired in 1991. Irene was always a very hard worker and instilled this important value in her children.

Irene’s children were paramount in her world and she devoted her time volunteering at Nordale School and the Norwood Community Club. She was very supportive in her children’s interest in sports and spent countless hours at David’s Hockey Games and helping out while Kathleen attended gymnastics and Ballet.

Grandma’s four Grandchildren brought tremendous joy and happiness to her life, and she always made sure they had a little money to put in their piggy bank so they could treat themselves to something nice.

Mom loved games and some of her favorite pastimes were playing cribbage and bingo. She also enjoyed puzzles, an activity that the family spent many hours doing together. Someone would always hide a piece just so they could be the one to place the last piece in the puzzle.

Mom was a great cook and baker and to this day her Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is always complimented as “the best cookies I have ever tasted”. She made sure that her family always had the best and most nutritious meals, even if it meant getting up early in the morning, before everyone else was out of bed.

She was an avid sports fan and never missed listening to a Blue Bombers, Jets, Moose or Goldeyes game. She attended her first Blue Bombers game as a young girl in the 1930’s and even had season tickets for a short time in the early 1980’s.

Some of our fondest memories with Mom were the summers that we spent together at Falcon Lake. We would spend hours in the Blueberry patch and were always rewarded with an abundance of Blueberry Pies, Pancakes and Perogies. We also shared many wonderful family dinners at Falcon Lake with her brothers Karl & Herb and family.

Irene was also very close to her sisters Wanda and Wally and we enjoyed countless evenings with their families playing cards and sharing laughs.

We would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the staff at Beacon Hill Lodge who took exceptional care of our mother in her last couple months. They showed amazing compassion towards both Irene and her family at a very difficult time. We would also like to thank the staff of Home Care who provided Mom critical support so she could remain in her home as long as possible and for working with Beacon Hill Lodge to ensure that she had a second home to spend her last couple of months in comfort.

A private family Service to celebrate Irene’s life has taken place at Green Acres Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made in Irene’s name to the Arthritis Society, the Canadian Cancer Society or a Registered Charity of your choice.

Never really appreciated, many times ignored.

She would give her life for you, never asking for reward.

Her love is never ending, though sometimes it gets lost,

For you must find your own way soon, through the cold of winters frost.

She will always be there for you, even if not asked ...

For a mothers soul won't wither or die ... even once she's passed.

GREEN ACRES

Funeral Home and Cemetery

1 Green Acres Lane, Springfield (204) 222-3241

Hwy #1 inside the Perimeter at Winnipeg

Condolences may be sent to:

www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eulogy read by Ken Hinther

We are here to celebrate the life of Irene Wiebe…..and she enjoyed celebrations!

She celebrated each day of her life whether it was a tough day or a joyous day. She accepted each day as it came without complaint, but with a tenacious outlook for accomplishing what she set out to do.

She lost her life partner Uncle Nick at an early age while their children were still relatively young. She proved to be strong, loving, hardworking and formidable in raising and providing for her children. Like her children she had a love of sports and brought that aspect to raising her children. She was their coach, confidant, mentor and team player. We see that proof today in her children. She loved her sports and was an avid fan of the Blue Bombers, the Jets, the Moose and the Goldeyes. Even as her eyesight failed she continued to be that avid fan and listened to the games. She also loved reading and when reading a book became impossible her children ensured her love did not have to stop, and they provided “talking books” from the Library.

Irene returned to work after Uncle Nick passed away and chose to work at the Esso station close to home. It was not just a job; it was a place of satisfaction and joy. She was outgoing and loved going to work and enjoyed her conversations with many customers and friends.

Irene had an open door policy! She loved to have her family and friends over where many a dinner and celebration was held in her home. You can ask any of her children about the “Open Door Policy” and how often their friends were over, celebrating or just and having a good time. Irene opened her heart and her home to all of her children’s friends. She was well loved and respected.

It was not just her front or back door that opened a lot, it was her fridge door. She loved to cook and there was always something good to eat so you can imagine how often that door was swinging.

I can remember many occasions we had an opportunity to celebrate with the Wiebe’s. Aunt Irene looked forward to these visits and so did we. She regretted her limitations when her health was failing, and she felt disappointed if something had to be cancelled or held at a later date.

Although she may have had physical limitations, she could always remember birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates. She never failed to amaze us with this memory skill.

Her love extended well past her children, and grandchildren. She was always there and ready to extend a hand for someone in need.

In closing, Aunt Irene will be missed, but not forgotten. We can still look up to her today as we did yesterday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Poem read by Kayla

Never really appreciated, many times ignored.

She would give her life for you, never asking for reward.

Her love is never ending, though sometimes it gets lost,

For you must find your own way soon, through the cold of winters frost.

She will always be there for you, even if not asked ...

For a mothers soul won't wither or die ... even once she's passed.