Vern Wieler
February 19, 1960 - February 27, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Verne Bradley Wieler on February 27, 2025, at the age of 65. He was born on February 17, 1960, in Winkler to John and May Wieler, the first of three children.
Verne grew up in the village of Rosengart, south of Winkler. From an early age, he developed a deep love for trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and anything with an engine—a passion that stayed with him throughout his life.
Verne met Irene in June of 1981, and just before Christmas that year, he surprised her with an engagement ring. In May of 1982, they were baptized in the Altona Sommerfeld Mennonite Church. The following month, Irene graduated high school, and on September 5, they were married.
Their first home was Verne’s childhood home in Rosengart, where they lived for 31 years. In 1986, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Sonya. Two years later, in 1988, their son Kendall arrived, and in 1991, their family was complete with the birth of their youngest son, Brandon.
Verne’s first job was at New Jays in Reinland as a welder. He then worked at Haskett Growers for a few years. Next Verne worked as a mechanic at a garage, but two weeks after Sonya was born, he was laid off. He then purchased his first combine, a Massey, from Main Farm Power in Plum Coulee, launching his 27-year career in custom farming, which he loved. A few years later, he bought a second Massey and hired an operator. He expanded his work by purchasing a tractor and planter for custom planting and a farm truck for beet runs. Verne spent winters in his shop, working on sleds and vehicles. He loved being close to home, where his family could spend time with him in the shop. His dream was to drive a John Deere combine, something he thought would never happen—but eventually, he owned two. When Kendall and Brandon were old enough, they operated the combines, and nothing brought Verne more joy than working alongside his boys. In 2013, he harvested his last field, the same year he opened a new shop in Winkler. Interesting fact: when Verne started combining, Sonya spent time in the combine with her dad as an infant in her car seat. The last field he combined in this career, Sonya rode along with him. That year, he and Irene moved to Plum Coulee. After earning his Red Seal, Brandon joined him in the shop. In January 2020, Verne sold the shop in Winkler and relocated to a rural property near Plum Coulee, a place that truly felt like home. His customers came from far and wide and he shipped parts all over the world.
In the 1990s, Verne took up snowmobile drag racing, competing successfully with multiple sleds. He also participated in summer grass drags and later developed a passion for mudbogging. As Brandon grew older, he joined Verne, and together they traveled across Manitoba with two trucks. Verne also did some truck pulling in Manitoba and the U.S. In 1996 Verne and 3 others took to Lake Minnewasta with their snowmobiles and drove across the lake with them. Two sleds made it and two sunk into the lake. Verne made it across. They raised money for Children’s Cancer Care. In 2017, Verne and Brandon purchased a Midwest modified racecar. With Brandon behind the wheel and Verne wrenching, they became a strong father-son duo. One of Verne’s proudest moments was when Brandon won first place. In 2020, Verne acquired a Camaro drag car, and in 2022, he won his bracket in Altona.
As a family, they enjoyed many snowmobile rides, including weekends at Falcon Lake and Brereton Lake. In 2020, Verne bought a RZR side-by-side, which he and Irene spent many Sundays cruising. Whenever the grandkids visited, Verne happily gave them rides. Last summer was filled with group RZR rides through the Pembina Valley.
Verne was one of the founding members of the Border Valley Snow Goers 30 years ago and served as the club’s president for many of those years. He was dedicated to ensuring the community had well-groomed snowmobile trails.
Verne and Irene became proud grandparents in 2014 with the arrival of their first grandchild, Hannah, followed by Selah in 2015, Lewis in 2017, August in 2018, Emily two months later in 2019, and Elliott in 2021. Verne adored being a grandpa, especially when the grandkids visited him at the shop, where they loved helping Grandpa behind the counter. Family was everything to Verne, and he loved them fiercely.
In September 2022, Verne and Irene celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, surrounded by family and friends. It was a beautiful celebration.
On February 27, 2025, Verne took his last breath with Irene by his side. We take comfort in knowing he did not suffer. He is survived by his loving wife, Irene; daughter Sonya and John Friesen (Hannah and Lewis); son Kendall and Erin Funk-Wieler (Selah and August); and son Brandon and Natasha Wieler (Emily and Elliott). He is also survived by his mother and stepfather May and Harvey Myers, two sisters Heather Wieler and Cyndi Hummel and their families, stepbrothers and stepsisters, his mother-in-law Anne Heppner, and Irene’s siblings and their families. He was predeceased by his father John E. Wieler in 2004 and his father-in-law Jacob G. Heppner in 2016.
Verne lived his life with passion and energy. When he committed to something he was all in. He gave his best in all that he did. He ran his business with integrity.
Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the first responders, the Altona police, Wiebe Funeral Home, Pastor Randy and Cindy Smart, those who are involved in the service, the ladies serving group, and anyone we may have overlooked. We are deeply grateful for your thoughts, prayers and gifts of love.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” —2 Timothy 4:7
February 19, 1960 - February 27, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Verne Bradley Wieler on February 27, 2025, at the age of 65. He was born on February 17, 1960, in Winkler to John and May Wieler, the first of three children.
Verne grew up in the village of Rosengart, south of Winkler. From an early age, he developed a deep love for trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and anything with an engine—a passion that stayed with him throughout his life.
Verne met Irene in June of 1981, and just before Christmas that year, he surprised her with an engagement ring. In May of 1982, they were baptized in the Altona Sommerfeld Mennonite Church. The following month, Irene graduated high school, and on September 5, they were married.
Their first home was Verne’s childhood home in Rosengart, where they lived for 31 years. In 1986, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Sonya. Two years later, in 1988, their son Kendall arrived, and in 1991, their family was complete with the birth of their youngest son, Brandon.
Verne’s first job was at New Jays in Reinland as a welder. He then worked at Haskett Growers for a few years. Next Verne worked as a mechanic at a garage, but two weeks after Sonya was born, he was laid off. He then purchased his first combine, a Massey, from Main Farm Power in Plum Coulee, launching his 27-year career in custom farming, which he loved. A few years later, he bought a second Massey and hired an operator. He expanded his work by purchasing a tractor and planter for custom planting and a farm truck for beet runs. Verne spent winters in his shop, working on sleds and vehicles. He loved being close to home, where his family could spend time with him in the shop. His dream was to drive a John Deere combine, something he thought would never happen—but eventually, he owned two. When Kendall and Brandon were old enough, they operated the combines, and nothing brought Verne more joy than working alongside his boys. In 2013, he harvested his last field, the same year he opened a new shop in Winkler. Interesting fact: when Verne started combining, Sonya spent time in the combine with her dad as an infant in her car seat. The last field he combined in this career, Sonya rode along with him. That year, he and Irene moved to Plum Coulee. After earning his Red Seal, Brandon joined him in the shop. In January 2020, Verne sold the shop in Winkler and relocated to a rural property near Plum Coulee, a place that truly felt like home. His customers came from far and wide and he shipped parts all over the world.
In the 1990s, Verne took up snowmobile drag racing, competing successfully with multiple sleds. He also participated in summer grass drags and later developed a passion for mudbogging. As Brandon grew older, he joined Verne, and together they traveled across Manitoba with two trucks. Verne also did some truck pulling in Manitoba and the U.S. In 1996 Verne and 3 others took to Lake Minnewasta with their snowmobiles and drove across the lake with them. Two sleds made it and two sunk into the lake. Verne made it across. They raised money for Children’s Cancer Care. In 2017, Verne and Brandon purchased a Midwest modified racecar. With Brandon behind the wheel and Verne wrenching, they became a strong father-son duo. One of Verne’s proudest moments was when Brandon won first place. In 2020, Verne acquired a Camaro drag car, and in 2022, he won his bracket in Altona.
As a family, they enjoyed many snowmobile rides, including weekends at Falcon Lake and Brereton Lake. In 2020, Verne bought a RZR side-by-side, which he and Irene spent many Sundays cruising. Whenever the grandkids visited, Verne happily gave them rides. Last summer was filled with group RZR rides through the Pembina Valley.
Verne was one of the founding members of the Border Valley Snow Goers 30 years ago and served as the club’s president for many of those years. He was dedicated to ensuring the community had well-groomed snowmobile trails.
Verne and Irene became proud grandparents in 2014 with the arrival of their first grandchild, Hannah, followed by Selah in 2015, Lewis in 2017, August in 2018, Emily two months later in 2019, and Elliott in 2021. Verne adored being a grandpa, especially when the grandkids visited him at the shop, where they loved helping Grandpa behind the counter. Family was everything to Verne, and he loved them fiercely.
In September 2022, Verne and Irene celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, surrounded by family and friends. It was a beautiful celebration.
On February 27, 2025, Verne took his last breath with Irene by his side. We take comfort in knowing he did not suffer. He is survived by his loving wife, Irene; daughter Sonya and John Friesen (Hannah and Lewis); son Kendall and Erin Funk-Wieler (Selah and August); and son Brandon and Natasha Wieler (Emily and Elliott). He is also survived by his mother and stepfather May and Harvey Myers, two sisters Heather Wieler and Cyndi Hummel and their families, stepbrothers and stepsisters, his mother-in-law Anne Heppner, and Irene’s siblings and their families. He was predeceased by his father John E. Wieler in 2004 and his father-in-law Jacob G. Heppner in 2016.
Verne lived his life with passion and energy. When he committed to something he was all in. He gave his best in all that he did. He ran his business with integrity.
Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the first responders, the Altona police, Wiebe Funeral Home, Pastor Randy and Cindy Smart, those who are involved in the service, the ladies serving group, and anyone we may have overlooked. We are deeply grateful for your thoughts, prayers and gifts of love.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” —2 Timothy 4:7