WIENS
It is with immense sadness that we must announce the death of May Wiens, beloved Mother, Grandmother and best friend. May slipped quietly away on August 9th, 2009 following a brief illness. May Fern was born on January 31, 1931, the fourth child of eight born to Peter Milo and Gladys Almeda Taggart. May was born and raised on the family farm at Gadsby, Alberta. She married Harry Ephraim Wiens on April 27, 1951 in Gadsby. Harry was a surveyor with GSI and the early years of their marriage was spent "doodle-bugging" with the crew. They moved often but the whole crew moved as a community. When their children reached school age it became necessary to settle down in one location so Harry and May bought a small house in Stettler AB. Harry continued surveying, and would be away from home for several weeks at a time. After three years of this, Harry leased the Triangle BA service station at Bowden, Alberta and the family moved into a trailer behind the station. In the fall of 1965 the family packed up and moved to Oak Lake, Manitoba. They lived in town the first winter and Harry worked for his brother Mano in the service station. The following spring they bought a few milk cows and three quarters of land north of the Assiniboine Valley, where May continued to live following Harry's accidental death on January 13th, 1972. Always a very independent woman, May remained on her farm for her remaining days. She enjoyed her solitude but loved it when family and friends stopped to see her. Left to cherish her memory are: her son Marvin and his wife Paulette of Kenton; her daughter Denise and her husband Dennis Griffith of Oak Lake; granddaughter Tracy and her husband Malcolm Murray of Neepawa; and grandson Kevin Griffith of Oak Lake. She will also be sadly missed by: sisters Isobel (Ernest) Miller of Lacombe AB and Barbara (Leonard) Gurney of Rimbey AB; brother Peter (Florence) of Stettler AB; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Mano and Helen Wiens (Oak Lake), Jean Wiens (Virden), Emma Wiens (Sooke BC), Edgar and Ridia Wiens (Vernon BC) and their families, as well as her Rand nieces and nephews and many nieces and nephews on the Taggart side. A family graveside service was held on August 13th, with Rev. Craig Miller officiating, followed by a time of remembering at the Legion Hall. Arrangements were in care of Brockie Donovan. If so desired, donations may be made in May's name to the Oak Lake Garden Club, the Oak Lake & District Museum, the Heart and Stroke Association, or a charity of your choice.