Tribute

Anne May (Lennea) Wiens

Anne was born May 17, 1937 to John and Iris Lennea. She was born in her grandma’s little log cabin on their homestead at Greig Lake, Saskatchewan. Her grandmother and an Indigenous woman brought her into this world, as it was many miles to the nearest hospital and closest doctor. At an early age, Anne riding in a canoe with her parents, learned to imitate the loons call and would call them right up to the canoe. When her baby sister, Joyce, was born Anne had a close playmate and they became inseparable. For the few school years Anne was homeschooled by her mother. In 1944 the family moved to Radiance, Saskatchewan. Anne then drove the horse, Prince, four miles to school with her and her three siblings riding in a buggy in spring and caboose in winter. One scary morning, the four children saw herd of horses charging toward their horse and buggy. What to do? Pray!! Anne hoped the Lord wouldn’t mind if she had peeked through her fingers to see what was happening while they prayed. Yes, the horses made an abrupt turn and galloped off. In 1950 the Lennea family moved to Compass, Saskatchewan and she then attended Champion School. She loved to play softball and had a ‘wicked swing’. A home run was not unusual. She also excelled in racing, especially the 50 yard dash, breaking the Track and Field record in Meadow Lake.

Anne, being the oldest child, was a huge help to her mother in doing the housework and taking care of her younger siblings. She was a wonderful big sister.

Anne took some of her high school while attending Champion School and it was here that she met her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Larry Wiens. They were married in the little country church at Compass, Saskatchewan on June 16, 1957. They lived in Meadow Lake where Larry worked for MacLeod’s Hardware Store. Their first two sons, Dale and Rick were born in Meadow Lake. In 1964 they moved to Mission, BC. Their third son, Brent was born here. Anne lived the rest of her life in Mission, BC except for a few years in Burns Lake while Larry was building homes there. They owned several homes but one that everyone remembers is the big heritage home on 7′ Avenue. For years they hosted all the holiday extended-family gatherings which were so much fun (and there was a lot of family).

Anne was kind and loving to everyone. She also was quite feisty and her Irish heritage was evident.

In later years, she loved to read, enjoyed her flowers and watching the hummingbirds and she could recognize each one individually that came to the feeder. She enjoyed many years at St. Andrews Place where she developed many wonderful and lasting friendships.

Anne had a strong and deep faith and was looking forward to her Heavenly Home. She told her doctor the day before she passed “Doctor, I want you to know, I am in God’s hands and I’m ready to go. I only want what God wants for me!”