Obituary of Leanna Wiebe

Our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Margaret Leanna Giesbrecht Wiebe, was born August 10, 1933, to Cornelius E. & Margaretha R. Giesbrecht in Greenland, Manitoba. She peacefully passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, after a brief illness.

Mom grew up on the family farm in Greenland as the 2nd youngest of 11 children.  In 1945, her dad uprooted the family and relocated to Whitemouth, MB. She spent many hours candling eggs for the family business. At the age of 12, she gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

After completing high school she earned her teaching certificate and was teaching school in Steinbach when she met Bob Wiebe, a handsome young man who lived two doors down from the place where she was boarding. They were married on July 26th, 1957, and enjoyed 49 years together. One son and two daughters completed their family. The first few years were spent in Steinbach and in 1964, they moved to Fullarton, ON, then to Hadashville, MB, in 1978, and back to Steinbach in 1987. Mom & Dad always had good neighbours and made many lasting friendships   wherever they lived.

Mom was a devoted wife & mother unselfishly putting our needs before her own and was always available with a listening ear. As a faithful Christian, Mom taught us solid moral & Christian values. She never complained and was a thankful, contented person. She loved us unconditionally and we have many happy memories of our times spent together as a family - picnics, playing games on long winter evenings, going on trips to Manitoba, etc. Her children, grandchildren &  great-grandchildren were dear to her and she was always thrilled to hear from us.

Dad passed away in 2007, leaving Mom very lonely. She often mentioned how much she missed him. In 2016, she moved into a suite at the Maplewood Manor where she resided until her passing. She loved living there and often spoke of the good times she shared with her fellow residents.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Tom & Lorilyn Wiebe, Fullarton, ON; Bev & Tony Regehr, Abbotsford, BC, and Laurie & Ray Penner, Whitemouth, MB; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Firmin & Agnes Giesbrecht, Murray, KY; sister-in-law, Linda Giesbrecht, Steinbach, MB; and sister-in-law Kathleen & Louis Barkman, Neepawa, MB; many nieces, nephews & friends.

Mom was predeceased by her husband, her parents and parents-in-law, six brothers, three sisters, four brothers-in-law & eight sisters-in-law.

As a family we would like to express our deepest appreciation to the Steinbach  Congregation, the Staff & Residents of the Maplewood Manor for taking care of Mom and to the compassionate staff in the St. Boniface ICMS Unit for their excellent care of Mom during her last days.

A viewing will take place on Monday, May 23, 2022, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. A short devotional will follow. 

The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Steinbach Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Steinbach, MB. Viewing prior to the service.

The burial will take place at Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach.