WIENS Jacob

1928 – 2013
Jacob Wiens, formerly of Ryley, Alberta, passed away peacefully at the Bow
Island Health Centre on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the age of 84 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the
Evangelical Free Church, 214 – 4 Avenue West, Bow Island on Sunday, April
21, 2013 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
A private family burial service will be held at the Bow Island Cemetery
prior to the funeral service.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Evangelical Free Church, 214 – 4
Avenue West, Bow Island on Monday April 22, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor
Roger Lobb officiating. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website
at www.southlandfuneral.com.
Jake will be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving
wife of sixty two years, Louise; their children Dave (Ellie) Wiens of Turner
Valley, Walter (Rhonda) Wiens of Bow Island, Arnold (Carolyn) Wiens of
Langley, Harvey Wiens of Bow Island and Philip Wiens of Airdrie;
grandchildren Audrey (Marty) Wells, Becky Wiens, Julene (Steve)
Reimer, Jeremy (Stacey) Wiens, Janelle (Brian) Tuntland, Christie (Morgan)
Meents and Brett Wiens; great grandchildren Brianna Wells, Jody Wells, Kaden
Mowatt, Raya Mowatt, Abby Reimer, Joel Reimer, Nell Reimer, Kamryn Wiens,
Ella Wiens and Lincoln Wiens. He is also survived by his brothers Abe
(Elizabeth) Wiens, Ernest (Linda) Wiens, Erwin (Lorraine) Wiens; sisters
Elizabeth (Henry) Kornelson, Helen (Reinhold) Fast and numerous nieces,
nephews and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Liese (nee Neufeld) and Isaac Wiens and
daughter-in-law Eleanor Wiens.
Jake was born the second of six children in Shumanovk, Russia during
tremendous government oppression. In 1930, his father Isaac led an escape
for his family out of Siberia across the Amur River into China. After two
years of seeking a place of freedom, the family ended up in Paraguay. Jake
often talked and reminisced about his exciting childhood and youth on the
Paraguayan cattle ranch. After sixteen years on the ranch, the family again
moved, this time to Coaldale, where Jake met and married Louise Funk. Being
an immigrant and not speaking English at that time had its challenges as he
worked in construction and farm labor. Jake and Louise found peace and
prosperity when they moved to a farm south of Ryley in 1960 which was a
great place to raise their five boys.
Jake was a man of strong faith. He was actively involved in church
activities as Sunday school teacher, church board member and kids club
teacher both in Tofield and Ryley. Jake and Louise were very instrumental in
the startup of the Good News Community Church in Ryley. His character
revealed to those who knew him that his faith was real.
He loved building and in his semi retirement, was able to help his brothers
build several barns. He also renovated and built homes for a number of his
neighbors around Ryley. Jake loved gardening and was proud of his apple
trees. Many friends and neighbors were able to benefit from their abundant
garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Jake’s name may be made directly
to the Crossroad Christian Communication, 100 Huntley Street, 1295 North
Service Road, Burlington, Ontario L7P 4X5.
Jake’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Pleasant
View Lodge and the Bow Island Health Centre for their gracious care and
friendship extended to Jake and Louise this past year.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403)
223-8778.