Obituary of Esther Anna Wiebe

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, 570 Sharron Bay S, Winnipeg, MB. To join the family via livestream, please click HERE shortly before the start of the service.

We mourn the passing of Esther Anna Wiebe (nee Hiebert) on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, at the age of 90.

She is remembered by her husband, George David Wiebe; children: Robert (Verna) and Peter (Ruth); daughter-in-law Marlene Wiebe; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; extended family; and friends.

Esther was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Anna (nee Giesbrecht) Hiebert, infant daughter, Miriam Judith; son, George Timothy Wiebe; sister, Linda Neufeld nee Hiebert (Jake); brother, Jacob Hiebert (Elsie); and four great-grandchildren.

Esther was born on March 18, 1932, in Plum Coulee. She displayed exceptional musical gifts as she learned piano and violin. At age 13 Esther asked Jesus into her heart, and was baptized upon confession of faith at age 19 at Bethel Mennonite Church.  

Esther pursued her musical studies in Winnipeg, including two years at Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC), where she met George. They married in 1953, and were hired by CMBC to further develop the music program. Sabbaticals included studies in piano accompaniment with Gwendolyn Koldofsky in Los Angeles, piano and harpsichord studies in Detmold, Germany, and composition studies with Bernhard Heiden in Bloomington, Indiana. Esther achieved the highest provincial standing in her LMM diploma in piano performance from the Western Board of Music. 

The births of Robert, Tim and Peter brought much joy. The boys studied piano with their mother, and played in a family string quartet with her. 

A beloved professor with a delightful sense of humour, Esther taught music theory courses at CMBC, and helped administer its music program. She arranged and composed music for the College, the wider church, and the Faith and Life Male choir. For five decades, Esther and George collaborated in a remarkable partnership, training and performing with choirs in Canada and beyond, with Esther enriching performances with her musical and improvisatory skills at the piano. 

Her life work influenced worship music in Mennonite churches. This ranged from useful arrangements of music used in congregational services, to major compositions for milestone events. These include folk operas The Bridge, and Crossroads, and cantatas for choir and orchestra: Maranatha, That They May Be One, Thy Kingdom Come, and The Abiding Place.

After retirement, Esther and George served in music in various Mennonite church contexts, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Springfield Heights Church in Winnipeg.

Esther enjoyed crosswords, Scrabble, reading, and her favorite TV shows. She graciously bore the gradual loss of her eyesight. She hosted family gatherings with joy and gratitude.

We give thanks for the gift of Esther. One of her favourite Bible verses sums up her life: “Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!” (Psalm 103:1).

A private interment will take place on Monday, January 30, 2023.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, 570 Sharron Bay S, Winnipeg, MB. To join the family via livestream, please click HERE shortly before the start of the service. 

Donations may be made to Canadian Mennonite University, or “Children’s Education” at MCC.

The family is grateful for excellent care by Lindenwood Terrace Homecare staff and the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Unit.