Peter Wiens

Our much beloved dad, Peter Wiens, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Cypress Health Region Hospital after a short illness. Dad was born September 28th, 1934 to our grandparents, John and Sarah (Friesen) Wiens in Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, and was the youngest of 6 children.

As a young man, Dad worked at Kirkaldies in Swift Current and had an equal passion for new cars and traveling. He was known for keeping nice cars and he personally detailed each one. He took several road trips with his friends during this time and was known for suggesting even distant trips over a weekend. Later, Dad worked as a land surveyor and travelled around parts of southern Saskatchewan to do this work.

Dad met his beautiful bride, Esther (Klassen), in February 1966 at a Youth for Christ crusade and, after a whirlwind romance, they married on October 15th, 1966 at Zion Mennonite Church in Swift Current. ‘The 3 R’s’, as Dad liked to call us, Raymond, Roberta and Rhonda, came along just a few short years later. 

In 1964 Dad began working for Canadian Pacific. He worked hard and had a strong work ethic, setting an important example for us throughout these years.  Dad stayed with CP for 34 years until he retired at the age of 60.

Dad loved to spend time with his family and friends, going for coffee, working in the garden, and swimming (particularly in the Swift Current Creek!). He was an avid reader and enjoyed studying the Bible.  Dad was quick to help others and loved working at the church in many different capacities.  Dad had a strong sense of adventure and thoroughly enjoyed travelling both near and far.  

More than anything, though, Dad loved God, our mom, and his family. He would eagerly wait for our visits home each summer, coming to our homes in Dubai or travelling somewhere together. We all enjoyed our time together, even if we were just simply hanging out. Dad took immense pride in us, and he and our mom loved hearing about everything we had been doing during their weekly phone calls to us. To ensure that we never forgot, every conversation would end with the reminder of how much he, Mom and God loved us.

Dad was a loving, kind, and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He leaves behind a legacy as a strong man of faith who lived his life, as he believed God wanted him to, serving as an example to others, particularly his children. 

Dad is survived by his beautiful loving wife, our mom, Esther; son, Raymond (Joan - Zachary, Madison) Wiens; daughter, Roberta (Paul Barbone) Wiens; daughter, Rhonda (Derek - Jackson, Kensie) Zaharko; sisters, Mary (Wiens) Schmunk and Sadie (Wiens) Reierson; an aunt, Annie (Wiens) Toews; sisters and brothers-in-law and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Dad was predeceased by his parents, an infant brother, a brother, Henry Wiens; a sister, Gertrude (Wiens) Stuart; a half-brother, Abe Friesen; and a niece Dallas (Schmunk) Targerson.

The Funeral Service was held on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 2:00pm from Zion Mennonite Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Lois Bukar and Pastor Herman J. Wiebe officiating. “How Great Thou Art” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” were sung by the congregation under the leadership of Elaine Derksen with Grace Funk serving as pianist. Special music was brought by the Zion Church Choir who sang “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” Tributes were given by family members. A photo presentation was also given. The ushers in the church were Hank Giesbrecht and Jake Ginter. The Private Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with Cliff Wiens, Kelly Wiens, Pat Schmunk, Kelly Klassen, Curtis Klassen, Nathan Klassen, Darren Klassen, Ryan Thiessen, Dylan Thiessen serving as Pallbearers. Zachary Wiens, Madison Wiens, Jackson Zaharko, Kensie Zaharko, Michael Reierson, John Stuart, Craig Klassen, Jeremy Klassen, Trevor Targerson, Trent Targerson, and Pearce Jones served as Honorary Pallbearers.

 Service Information