Erna Wiebe-Unrau

After a year of breathing difficulties, Erna Wiebe-Unrau passed away on February 21, 2022 at the age 79 years.

Erna, born on March 27, 1942, was the eldest child of William & Marie Thiessen of Carman, Manitoba.  She grew up on a farm and attended school in Graysville, MB.  She married Isaac Benny Wiebe from Graysville on August 13, 1960. In the first years of marriage she worked at Great West Life in Winnipeg, MB. While there they started their family, where Cheryl, Valerie, and Eldon were born. Several years later, in 1969, they relocated with their children to Langruth, Manitoba where she was kept busy with farm work, a huge garden, sewing projects, and later grandchildren.  Over the years she served as a school secretary, H & R Block seasonal tax preparer, and Eric McMillan Insurance Agent.  She also was an active 4H Leader, member of the Amaranth Gospel Mission, and volunteered as a driver for the Portage Cancer Society. After the passing of her husband Isaac on September 3, 2014, she relocated to MacGregor and married Jacob Unrau on September 20, 2015.  Here she had more children and grandchildren and quilts to keep her occupied.  Her early years of farming had left her lungs scarred and in this last year she found breathing quite difficult.

She was predeceased by her parents William & Marie Thiessen, husband Isaac Wiebe and son-in-law Daniel Klassen, as well as several brothers and sisters in-law.

She is survived by her husband Jacob Unrau of MacGregor, MB; children Cheryl Klassen (Kevin Bonsan) of Elmworth, AB., Valerie (Clarence) Leschied of San Antonio, TX. and Eldon Wiebe (Jodi Douglas) of MacGregor, MB.; step-children William (Ruth) Unrau of MacGregor, Diane (Bill) Reimer of Austin, Barb (Alan) Barkman of Steinbach, David (Betsy) Unrau of MacGregor, Philip (Myrna) Unrau of MacGregor and Sharron (John) Funk of MacGregor; siblings Menno (Edith) Thiessen of Dauphin and  Alvina (John) Warkentin of Carman; grandchildren Devon Klassen, Myles (Naomi) Leschied, Brock Leschied (Alexis), Cianna Leschied, Nicole Wiebe (Dylan), Joel Wiebe and Amy Wiebe; step grandchildren Brenton (Jody) Unrau, Jodienne (Jeff) Early, Janae Unrau, Aaron Buhler, Pamela Buhler, Kristine (Dillion) Weicker, Greg (Amanda) Reimer, Ryan (Brittany) Reimer, Rachel (Darryl) Martens, Marc (Chantelle) Barkman, Michael Barkman, Chaylene (Colin) Petkau, Ryley (Rachel) Unrau, Kirk (Suzanna) Unrau, Dawson Unrau, Heidi Unrau, Carter Unrau, Jairus Unrau, Destiny (Byron) Wiebe, Jadon (Jessica) Unrau, Nathan Funk, Dale Funk and Christopher Funk; as well as many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of Daughters on Call of Carberry, MB for their compassionate care during moms final 10 weeks.

Viewing and Devotional will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the MacGregor Sommerfeld Mennonite Church.  Private funeral service will be held MacGregor Sommerfeld Mennonite Church on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm with internment following at the Greenwood Cemetery in Carman, MB.  The slideshow and funeral service was recorded and can be viewed below.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so desire, donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Amaranth Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 189 Amaranth, MB R0H 0B0, marked in memory of Erna.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com