IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Willard Wiebe
A memorial service for Willard J. Wiebe, 90, Whitewater, who passed away Thursday, May 1, 2025, was scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Grace Hill Mennonite Church, rural Whitewater.
Burial was to have been at 10 a.m. at Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation was 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Lamb Funeral Home, Whitewater.
Willard was born March 12, 1935, to John H. and Martha A. (Claassen) Wiebe.
He grew up learning to farm from his father and particularly enjoyed spending time on a tractor, working ground. There were many trips by truck and train to sell cattle, as well.
During World War II, he chose to be a conscientious objector and did 1-W service as an orderly at Evanston Hospital in Illinois.
There he met MaryAnn Goertz from Goessel. After their return to Kansas, they dated and were married Oct. 16, 1959, at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel.
They adopted two children, Teresa and Christopher.
The family was involved in church, school, and 4-H. MaryAnn and the kids helped with farm life, mowing, and driving tractors and trucks when needed.
Willard bought a camper when the kids were in grade school, and the family took many vacations in it.
Willard was on the board of Rural Water District No. 7.
He also enjoyed singing in the Mennonite Men’s Chorus for quite a few years after its inception. Willard and MaryAnn traveled out of state with the choir several times.
Willard enjoyed traveling and went on a group trip to the Mennonite home countries in 2007 and counted that as one of the highlights of his life.
Preceding him in death were wife MaryAnn Wiebe, sister Helen and brother-in-law Willard Friesen, brothers Eldon Wiebe and Howard Wiebe Sr., and brother-in-law Edgar Harder.
Survivors include daughter Teresa Martin (and husband James) of Hays and son Chris Wiebe (and wife Catina) of McPherson.
Also surviving are grandchildren Elizabeth and Daniel Schrandt of Glasco; Kadie Martin of Raleigh, North Carolina; Alston Cunningham of McPherson; and Adrian Wiebe of McPherson; great-grandchildren MaryAnn and William Schrandt of Glasco; sister Agnes Harder of Whitewater; friend Elaine Claassen of Whitewater; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Mennonite Missions Network.