Marie Susie Wiens

Marie S. Wiens, 87 of Devils Lake formerly of Munich, North Dakota died on Monday afternoon, January 10, 2011 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Marie will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Bruce Dick will officiate and burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery, rural Munich, ND in the spring. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Marie will be grandchildren Cynthia Johnson, Bryan Petty, Alissa Robinson, Amanda Petty, Jeremy Wiens, Cricky Wiens, Daniel Wiens, Jennifer Wiens, Laurie Richardson and LaShai Pfeifer. Music will be provided by Frank and Loren Sawatsky. Marie Susie Wiens was born April 8, 1923 to Jacob G. Friesen and Helen Benke Friesen at their farm home in rural Munich, North Dakota. She attended Rosehill one-room school in rural Munich. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior August 19, 1937 and was baptized and joined Rosehill Mennonite Brethren Church in rural Munich. She attended and graduated from Bethany Bible School. She married Andrew Wiens on October 30, 1945 at Rosehill Mennonite Brethren Church and they farmed near Munich and raised four children. Marie served as a 4-H leader, Bible class teacher and was known for her quilting and cake decorating. Starting in 1974, Marie and husband Andrew spent 17 years in Texas, initially volunteering part-time and then progressing to full time for Children’s Haven Orphanage, Reynosa, Mexico and Evangelical Mission Ministries, Inc., Pharr, Texas. They returned to Devils Lake in 1991. When back in Devils Lake, Marie worked at McDonald’s as a hostess and at the Heritage House as a guide. She was “Grandma Marie” to many children and young people. She also volunteered at the Senior Center. Marie and husband Andrew were avid fans of Firebirds basketball. Marie was active in church throughout her life and was known as a “prayer warrior” because of all the people she remembered in her daily prayers. Her strong faith in Christ was an example to many and she encouraged others to grow in their faith. When Marie’s health required her to move to Heartland Care Center, she was determined to make it an opportunity to encourage other residents and staff. Because of her attitude and positive outlook, she was recognized in the “Beautiful Women of North Dakota” book as a woman of grace. She was honored at a gala book release and art exhibition at Rourke Art Museum, with Governor Hoeven presiding. She is survived by children Helen (Russ) Petty, Devils Lake, ND; Robert (Carol) Wiens, White Bear Lake, MN; Arlene (Loren) Janzen, Penn, ND; Arnold (Heidi) Wiens, Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren Bryan (Paula) Petty; Cynthia (Aaron) Johnson; Alissa Robinson; Amanda Petty; Jeremy Wiens; Cricky Wiens, Laurie (Kory) Richardson; LaShai (Aaron) Pfeifer; Daniel (Jami) Wiens; Jennifer Wiens; nine great-grandchildren, Malayia, Alex, Briana, Austin, Andy, Tina, Mariya, Maleah and Taylor; one sister Erna (Frank) Sawatsky. Preceded in death by parents, husband Andrew Wiens, and infant son Victor. Marie requested memorials to Evangelical Mission Ministries, Inc.