Funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with interment to follow at Westridge Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be from 1PM-8PM on Wednesday at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler and at the church prior to the service. Donatiosn may be made in Abe's memory to the BTHC Foundation designated to Pallaitive Care.
Abram (Abe) Driedger
1931 ~ 2023
Abe Driedger, age 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Boundary Trails Health Centre.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hilda (Heppner), three children and spouses: Beverley (Willie), Gary (Lisa), Cameron (Susan), four grandchildren: Jillian (Kevin), Bridgette (Mark), Felix, Jonas and four great grandchildren Liesl, Lyle, Levi, Iris. Abe was part of a large family and leaves two brothers and a sister, their spouses, three sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. Many times he told us that most of his friends were gone, but was glad for those who remained.
Abe was born on January 20, 1931, at home in Gruenthal district, the 4th of eight children of Abram and Helena (Nickel) Driedger. He was baptized upon the profession of his faith in Jesus Christ in May 1951. On April 28, 1957 he married Hilda Heppner. Early on the couple lived near the Driedger family farm. Growing up Abe worked on the farm alongside his siblings. As a young man he had an avid interest in vehicles and travel. His brother says, “Abe was made for cars, and cars for Abe!” From early “coupes” to the later “RVs”, he enjoyed talking about almost any aspect of a vehicle. Telling a story about a vehicle he had owned, taking it to a faraway place—and having your attention for the story, was Abe in his element. He particularly enjoyed the "wheel n deal" on a car, truck or RV, and could remember the details many years later. As a young man he worked for telegraph, hydro, and pumping gas; eventually farming became his chosen occupation. Starting in 1961 Abe and Hilda farmed their own land, moving their young family over the years to: Rudnerweide, Darlingford (farm at Mowbray), High Bluff, and Roland; in 1968 the family moved to Winkler and farmed from a distance for some years. In 1981 Abe became an “armchair” farmer, renting their land to others and working for Manitoba Crop Insurance as an adjuster. He enjoyed this work immensely, and retired in 1995. In retirement his main “occupation” became “coffee shop-ing” which we all know he enjoyed most of all!
In summary, the themes in Abe’s life, alongside a deep commitment to family, included farming, travel and a love of people. This social side was the last to be lost and sustained him almost until the very end. As we watched him weaken and struggle to breathe these last weeks, he continued to perk up if someone came to visit. Those who were able to visit at BTHC gave him the best medicine — the enjoyment of a good “schpatzier”.
The family thanks all those who provided material and emotional support during Abe’s illness: EMTs who took him to the hospital on August 11, medical staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre who provided excellent medical care, rides for Hilda by volunteers from church, Pastor Art Wiebe, Wiebe Funeral Home and numerous visitors. Visits -- short or long in duration, each was an event for Abe worthy of the guest book and to be reported to Hilda if she was not there.
Funeral service on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with burial at the Westridge Memorial Gardens.
Donations in memory of Abe may be made to Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation – Palliative Care.
Abram (Abe) Driedger
1931 ~ 2023
Abe Driedger, age 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Boundary Trails Health Centre.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hilda (Heppner), three children and spouses: Beverley (Willie), Gary (Lisa), Cameron (Susan), four grandchildren: Jillian (Kevin), Bridgette (Mark), Felix, Jonas and four great grandchildren Liesl, Lyle, Levi, Iris. Abe was part of a large family and leaves two brothers and a sister, their spouses, three sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. Many times he told us that most of his friends were gone, but was glad for those who remained.
Abe was born on January 20, 1931, at home in Gruenthal district, the 4th of eight children of Abram and Helena (Nickel) Driedger. He was baptized upon the profession of his faith in Jesus Christ in May 1951. On April 28, 1957 he married Hilda Heppner. Early on the couple lived near the Driedger family farm. Growing up Abe worked on the farm alongside his siblings. As a young man he had an avid interest in vehicles and travel. His brother says, “Abe was made for cars, and cars for Abe!” From early “coupes” to the later “RVs”, he enjoyed talking about almost any aspect of a vehicle. Telling a story about a vehicle he had owned, taking it to a faraway place—and having your attention for the story, was Abe in his element. He particularly enjoyed the "wheel n deal" on a car, truck or RV, and could remember the details many years later. As a young man he worked for telegraph, hydro, and pumping gas; eventually farming became his chosen occupation. Starting in 1961 Abe and Hilda farmed their own land, moving their young family over the years to: Rudnerweide, Darlingford (farm at Mowbray), High Bluff, and Roland; in 1968 the family moved to Winkler and farmed from a distance for some years. In 1981 Abe became an “armchair” farmer, renting their land to others and working for Manitoba Crop Insurance as an adjuster. He enjoyed this work immensely, and retired in 1995. In retirement his main “occupation” became “coffee shop-ing” which we all know he enjoyed most of all!
In summary, the themes in Abe’s life, alongside a deep commitment to family, included farming, travel and a love of people. This social side was the last to be lost and sustained him almost until the very end. As we watched him weaken and struggle to breathe these last weeks, he continued to perk up if someone came to visit. Those who were able to visit at BTHC gave him the best medicine — the enjoyment of a good “schpatzier”.
The family thanks all those who provided material and emotional support during Abe’s illness: EMTs who took him to the hospital on August 11, medical staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre who provided excellent medical care, rides for Hilda by volunteers from church, Pastor Art Wiebe, Wiebe Funeral Home and numerous visitors. Visits -- short or long in duration, each was an event for Abe worthy of the guest book and to be reported to Hilda if she was not there.
Funeral service on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with burial at the Westridge Memorial Gardens.
Donations in memory of Abe may be made to Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation – Palliative Care.