Obituary of Lorna Hiebert

Lovingly attended by her family, Lorna passed away peacefully on Friday, November 19, 2021.  She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Dr. Al Hiebert, children Rhonda and Jim Friesen, Jonathan and Karina Hiebert; grandchildren Matthew and Breanne Friesen, Laura Friesen and Sarah Friesen; her youngest sister Pat Moule, who was like a daughter, and her children Seth and Emily Moule; a brother and several sisters: Ron and Wendy Dueck, Lou and Dennis Friesen, and Sandi Neufeld; as well as a special cousin Terri Hiebert and many nieces and nephews.  Lorna is predeceased by her parents, Peter H. and Helen Dueck, one sister, Joanne Dueck, and one brother-in-law, Hugo Moule.

Born on the family homestead near Kleefeld, MB, Lorna enjoyed the simple occupations of country living such as gardening, harvesting wild fruit and tending to household needs.  She met her future husband, Al Hiebert, in grade 12 at Steinbach Bible Institute.  Both had career ambitions that required further schooling following high school, Lorna as a registered nurse and Al as an educator.  Their courtship lasted four years as they pursued these goals, eventually marrying on August 31, 1962.

Two years later, daughter Rhonda was born and Lorna balanced motherhood with working as a nurse, first in Winnipeg and later in Steinbach.  Summers were spent at Red Rock Bible camp, where Al was camp director and Lorna was camp nurse.  The beauty of the Whiteshell drew them back again and again long after their formal roles ended in 1971.  In 1973, Lorna and Al moved to Kleefeld to start a new adventure: renovating a 1927 CP Railway station into a unique family home. 

Shortly after the move, their son Jonathan was born, completing the family.  Lorna gave up her nursing career to focus on her family, her home, and her community.  She took up jobs as a church secretary and school librarian…jobs that enabled her to be close to her family while doing things she loved.  Lorna’s passion for reading inspired many young students over the years.

Lorna’s shy and gentle nature belied her fun-loving sense of adventure.  She was always eager for family bonding moments around backyard wiener roasts, picnics at the lake, or day trips around Manitoba.  When Al proposed a move to New York city to pursue his PhD, Lorna took the move in stride, exchanging quiet country ways for the busy streets of Manhattan.  Road trips were a favourite way to spend vacations, traveling across the US and Canada to see natural and man-made wonders.  Lorna’s favourite destination was Disney World, where she reveled in the joy it could bring not only to her, but to her children and grandchildren. 

When Al needed to move to Arkansas for a new job opportunity, Lorna enjoyed the new sights and climate, as well as learning a new skill for making ‘creative memories’ photo scrapbooks.  Over the coming years, she produced 22 such books for different family members, each becoming a cherished heirloom.  After a year ‘down south’ she and Al returned to Canada, living in Caronport SK where she poured herself into building a new home that could comfortably host visits from grandchildren. Retirement brought Lorna and Al back to Steinbach, settling close to family and friends.

Lorna was a quiet woman of deep faith, commitment, and courage. She had a nurturing spirit evidenced through her compassionate and tenderhearted care of others. Through her final years, a debilitating back injury stemming from her nursing career gradually began to limit her mobility and became a source of significant pain and suffering.  While she wished for “a few more healthy, happy years,” she also looked forward to the renewal of heaven and the end of her pain.  Although she is greatly missed, her family is grateful that Lorna is once again made whole, that she has gone on to a new life of health and joy. 

According with Lorna’s wishes, cremation has taken place with future interment at Heritage Cemetery. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Birchwood Funeral Chapel by invitation only. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorna’s honor to the Red Rock Bible Camp Campership Fund (https://redrockbiblecamp.com/give/) or a charity of one’s choice.