Obituary of Peter Wiebe

Obituary Peter Wiebe 1930 ~ 2023 With sadness we share the passing of Peter Wiebe of Fort St. John at 93 years of age. A funeral service for Peter will be held at the Cleardale Gospel Church on Sunday, July 16 at 2:30 pm. An interment will be at the Cleardale Community Cemetery following the service. All are invited to stay for a tea following the service and interment. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in memory of Peter to Gospel for Asia where he was a representative - Click Here to donate or to Operation Mobilization - Click Here to donate Peter Wiebe's Life and Legacy Pete was born into an Old Colony Mennonite family near Swift Current, Saskatchewan, June 24, 1930, the third oldest of 13 siblings. His family moved to B.C. near Francois Lake when he had only completed one year of school. He never went back to school but worked the small lumber mill with his dad. Education was not a high value in that culture so school was optional. Pete liked to learn and wanted to read. His sisters read the comics to him until one day they said. “Read it yourself. “ And he did. Over time he became an avid reader and could read better than many graduates as an adult. He met a sweet young girl and would cross country ski miles to her house to see her until she turned 19 and he married Susana Fehr in 1951. They moved into a two room cabin in the woods with his guitar and his gun and called it home. The family quickly grew until they had six children in quick secession. A larger home was built on Boer Mountain, making room for the more children, finishing the family with a set of twins. His quest for the real meaning of life grew with his first few children. He searched in churches, religion and bars. One day, in a bar, just before he turned 30, he was invited to give his life to Jesus Christ and follow him, he did. Pete was never the same after that. He pursued his relationship with God and in 1960 even packed up his young family in his dilapidated old car to drive to Manitoba to go to Bible College for a year. His brother saw his car and knowing Pete’s car wouldn't make it, gave Pete his own car instead. At Bible College his teachers made accommodations for his limited writing skills by giving him verbal options. He memorized all of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Peter. He would not give up. Stubbornness has it’s advantages. Pete worked as a millwright in B.C. until, at age 46, when he felt led by God to move his wife and the youngest four children to Worsley, where he bought the farm, I mean, a farm and started a new life. The transition was welcome, yet difficult, the farm had not been lived on nor worked for years. There was no income that first year so Pete went tree falling that winter. One bitter cold day there was an uneven number of men so Pete, being the most experienced person, worked alone. At 9 that morning, a tree kicked back and hit his hip, breaking it. He kept himself warm with the power saw and called to the men working a short distance through the trees. They didn't hear him. He called and called. Finally he started singing. “Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hand has made….then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Though art, how great Thou art….”until his voice was gone. He thought he would die that day, but God had other plans. He was rescued at suppertime. Putting in the crop that spring was challenging, as he was still on crutches, but the new community helped this new farmer and the crop was planted. Pete loved the Cleardale community nearby and began to lead Bible studies there. He saw the need for some to learn to read and write, just as he had, and soon he was teaching reading and writing with his self taught skills. Those Bible studies grew into a church that met at the Menno Simons school, and now the church has a building, in which we are now assembled. He asked to have his final service here and has always loved this community. Missions was Pete’s passion, he didn't want anyone to miss out on salvation, local or across the globe. He was a humble man and never wanted accolades or recognition but God used him to change the hundreds maybe thousands of lives for eternity. After his wife, Susan died he traveled to Guatemala, and later to Honduras, and India. He loved meeting the people he prayed for so long. In 1999 he married, Agnes Fehr, and moved to Prespatou, B.C. He remained active in missions, sharing the gospel with whoever would listen, cutting fire wood, and building things until well into his late 80s. He even invented a backyard golf game which he tried to get patented and into production. In 2002 Pete became an official volunteer with Gospel for Asia. For 15 years he took every opportunity he could find to help people make an eternal difference in the lives of Asia by supporting needy children and providing support and Bible training for pastors. He shared in churches across B.C. and Alberta and stood at countless booths at missions conferences. He attended his last mission conference in March, while on pass from the hospital. In 2009, at 79 years od age,Pete traveled to South Asia to see the work first hand. The team members reported that his love for the people of Asia was very evident as he visited with Bible College students, children, churches, and leprosy colonies. Peter served the Lord and this mission faithfully for 21 years. I wonder how many people he is meeting in Heaven now that are there because he prayed, and gave, and went. Last week he was shopping at No Frills when the lady behind him said she would like to pay for his groceries, which she did. Dad went outside to wait for the Handibus to pick him up. As he was waiting, the same lady showed up so Dad shared Christ with her but she decided to say no that day. This was Dad’s evangelistic heart and he shared Christ right to the end. Pete was not highly educated nor financially rich but like the widow’s mite, Pete gave what he had and God blessed it. On a school bus driver’s salary and later with his retirement he continued to support missions, challenging those around him to keep up. One of his sons made it his goal to out-give his dad, who in his later years gave 50% of his income to support missions, he has not yet accomplished it. God blessed Pete and Agnes, they never lacked, and their eternal reward is waiting for them. Pete was a family man, problem solver, hard worker, avid reader, evangelist,and faithful intercessor. It was his habit to rise early in the morning to pray for his family, missions, and those who are lost, for several hours, then he would fall sleep just before dawn. This family will miss the impact of those prayers, although we believe they continue in Heaven. Pete loved his family and counted them regularly, cherishing their phone calls and visits. On the last count he had nine children, 15 grand children, 29 great- grandchildren, and one on the way, for a grand total of 89 people in his family. We honor his legacy today, his love for family, his faithfulness, his work in God’s kingdom, his generosity, and his love for his Lord. Many lives were changed because of Pete Wiebe, but he wouldn't want us to say that. He would rather here from his Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Services Funeral Service Sunday July 16, 2023 2:30 PM Cleardale Gospel Church Cleardale Cleardale, AB T0H 3Y0 Memorial Tea to follow Sunday July 16, 2023 Cleardale Gospel Church Cleardale Cleardale, AB T0H 3Y0 Interment to follow Sunday July 16, 2023 Cleardale Cemetery Cleardale Cleardale, AB T0H 3Y0