Audrey F. Wiebe

Like many of her generation, Audrey was born to a rural farm family. She had an older brother Charles Estel, whom she adored and enjoyed family visits. Audrey recalled fondly her life on the farm and spoke of it as "a time to be treasured". The small dairy farm was located near Alden, KS. She attended Elementary in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Alden High School in 1950. Memories of eating watermelon from the patch, riding her bike on the sandy roads, falling in a silo and getting wind knocked out, reading all the books on schools bookshelf, watching her Mother enjoy Charlie playing basketball, learning to play the piano, living through the wartime food rations and the day her family gathered around the radio to hear that USA was at war; and then when the President declared that the war was over. Audrey’s mother died suddenly at the age of 41 due to complications from gallbladder surgery, Audrey was only 13. She was a faithful daughter to her father and helped in many ways with chores and life on the farm.

Audrey attended Wesley Hospital Nurses Training and received her Registered Nursing Certification in September 1953. Shortly thereafter she met and married Hubert J. Wiebe in 1954 with whom she was married for 56 years; four children were born to this union: Gary, Cheryl, Randall, Paul. Audrey was an excellent mother, excellent cook and supported and encouraged her children and grandchildren throughout her life.

Audrey worked at Wesley Hospital in the Labor/Delivery unit for 30+ years. She loved being around the babies. Her nursing reputation in Obstetrics and Delivery was regarded as ‘one of the top in the field’. One of her distinct joys was to be the attending nurse for most of her grandchildren's birth.

Hobbies included reading, sewing, painting and stained glass; she mostly painted farm landscapes, depicting her childhood farm and flowers. Audrey and Hubert loved to travel, which included: Hawaii, Alaska, East / West Coast, Europe and Colorado. One year, as a couple, they lived in Orleans, France when Hubert was stationed there for part of his military service.

Part of her life’s tapestry was Audrey’s abiding faith. Early in her childhood she attended church with her parents. After marriage, the couple attended 1st Mennonite Brethren (Ridgepoint Church). Audrey was baptized in 1960 and became a member of the church which she volunteered in many capacities, including children's church, Sunday School class, Vacation Bible School, funeral care team, Mennonite Central Committee Relief, including cleaning the church building on weekends.

Throughout her life, she modeled compassion. Psalm 23 exemplifies Audrey and how she lived her faith. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Our entire family loved and adored her, she will be greatly missed.

Preceded in death: husband, Hubert J. Wiebe; parents, John & Mabel Fern Heckel, Grandson, Alex J. Wiebe; Brother, Charles E. Heckel

Survivors include: children, Gary Wiebe (Teresa), Cheryl Bangle (Ron), Randall Wiebe (Lisa) Wichita, KS and Paul Wiebe (Morgan) Valley Center, KS; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can made to Ridgepoint Church, 8000 West 21st, Wichita, KS 67205

Visitation at 9:00 am - 9:45 am (Resthaven); Gravesite Service to follow at 10:00 am. Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Kellogg, Wichita, KS 67209. Celebration of Audrey’s Life at 11:00 am, Ridgepoint Church, 8000 West 21st, Wichita, KS 67205 all on Saturday August 12,2023.