Ray Wiebe

Ray Wiebe, age 85, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK. Raymond “Ray” Leslie Wiebe was born July 19, 1932 on the family farm to Tony & Mary (Schultz) Wiebe in Greenfarm, SK. He attended Greenfarm School for ten years, followed by two years of high school in Herbert. Ray and his family attended the rural church in Greenfarm, where he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour in his early teens. He helped his dad on the farm and worked winters off the farm until 1956.

Ray met Frances Vancuren in 1954 and they were married in 1956. Ray & Fran lived on the family farm for two years before buying a small farm of their own at Ernfold, SK, where they lived for six years. It was there they had their first child, Barrie, in 1957. In the fall of 1960, they had their daughter, Bonnie. They moved back to the family farm in 1964 and their youngest child, Brent, was born in 1965. They lived on the homestead until 1973, when they moved in to Herbert.

Ray joined the Herbert Church and enjoyed singing in the choir and quartet, serving on the food committee, and being involved in small groups. He enjoyed all sports, including baseball, hockey, and curling. After he “retired,” he continued to help on the farm. As recently as 2017, Ray could often be found moving vehicles or bringing out much necessary lunches — his white truck could often be spotted sitting at the end of the field. Ray & Fran enjoyed travelling with friends and spent abundant time with their grandchildren, always an active part of their lives.

Left to cherish his love and memories are his wife of 61 years, Fran Wiebe; his children, Barrie (Holly) Wiebe, Bonnie Kretchmar, and Brent (Marion) Wiebe; his loving grandkids, Starr (Jeff) Murphy, Ryan Kretchmar (Shawna), Eric Kretchmar (Kristin), Tia (Carson Ruf) Wiebe, Tawn (Jon Shaw) Wiebe, Natasha Wiebe, Josh (Jordan) Wiebe, and Zac Wiebe; and his three precious great-grandchildren, Bryn and Addison Murphy, and Bentley Kretchmar. Ray was predeceased by his parents, Tony & Mary Wiebe; his siblings, Arthur Wiebe, Doris Priebe, and Lois Reimer; his son-in-law, Kris Kretchmar; his parents-in-law, Alvin & Opal Vancuren; his brother-in-law, Lorne Priebe; and by his sister-in-law, Joyce Cairns.

“We were fortunate to have time to say our goodbyes. Ray let each of us know how much we were loved.”

The Funeral Service for Ray Wiebe was held on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 2:00 pm from Grace Fellowship Church, Herbert, SK with Pastor Bob Cappelle and Pastor Lyndon Epp officiating. “When We All Get to Heaven” and “I’ll Fly Away” were sung by the congregation under the leadership of Henry Braun, with Lyndon Epp serving as pianist. Special music was brought by the Henry Braun Quartet. Tributes were given by Ray’s grandchildren. The eulogy was given by Marion Wiebe and Holly Wiebe. The ushers in the church were Alfred Thiessen, Harry Cornelson, and Jake Klippenstein. The Private Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from the Herbert Cemetery, Herbert, SK with Ray’s grandchildren, Ryan Kretchmar, Eric Kretchmar, Natasha Wiebe, Josh & Jordan Wiebe, Zachary Wiebe, Jeff & Starr Murphy, Tia Wiebe & Carson Ruf, and Tawn Wiebe & Jon Shaw serving as Pallbearers.

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