Obituary of Cornelius Hiebert

Cornelius Hiebert was born on April 23, 1933, to Henry and Lena Siemens Hiebert at Sewell, Manitoba. Dad found the love of his life in Lorine Goossen of Rosenort, MB., and they married on July 18, of 1957. To this union were born three sons and three daughters.

Dad passed away on September 28th, 2024, at the ripe age of 91 years. He is the last of his siblings to leave this world.

Dad's parents were farming in the Sewell area when he was born, however after a few years of poor crops there, they purchased a 400-acre farm west of Morden Manitoba. Dad would mention the hard work, good food, companionship at mealtime and evenings spent together as a family.

In the fall of 1954 Dad enrolled in the Manitoba Normal School. Part of the exercises required in this enrollment was to go out and observe other classrooms and do some teaching as well. To this purpose Dad consented to spend a couple of weeks in the Rosenort area with a friend who was teaching there. Little did he realize that this would become home for the rest of his life. He quickly made friends in the community. Since his friend was boarding at the Henry Goossen (dad’s future father-in-law) residence, dad was invited to have his meals and nights there too. He willingly obliged. The Rosenort congregation was engaged in revivals during that time. Attending those meetings spawned many a question for Dad. Prayer searching questions. He was especially impressed by the friendliness, hospitality and warmth of the people. Going back to the old home place in Morden, he came to prayer once more, now embracing without reserve, all that God was asking of him. Dad’s Quote: The Lord honored that and for the first time in my life I felt new life had entered in – I felt peace and godly presence…

He was baptized on the confession of his faith into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, at Rosenort, MB., on May 5, 1957.

Among Dad’s involvement in mission work he accepted a position on the Gospel Tract board. There was a small building on the home premises dubbed “tract house” where tracts were packaged for shipping. Other stints include their call to houseparent girls working at the Bannatyne and Charleswood homes in Winnipeg. He also, accepted invitations from congregations requesting singing lessons.

Dad enjoyed a lengthy teaching career. Nineteen of his thirty-two years of teaching was in public schools. Dad was a proponent of beginning private congregational schools. In support of helping the First Nations children he taught at Rocky Mountain House, AB. Our next landing was at Pre Fontaine, MB. Dad taught a year there and during that time we attended church services at Kleefeld, MB.

Our family was really excited about Dad’s invitation to help the Livingston, Ca., congregation in their effort to establish a private school for their children. Many are the memories that were born there.

Pine River, MB., and Swan River, MB., were the other places where Dad taught in his later years, again enriching their lives with new friends and memories.

Dad was challenged in many ways during his teaching career, yet it did not deter the passionate desire to do his best. He always enjoyed a competitive game of baseball; however, few were the students that appreciated the curve that accompanied his fast pitch. He taught good sportsmanship by example.

Dad loved to sing, and among his favorites were the Mosie Lister songs. Dad would often sing with his children while mom was washing the supper dishes. What a treat when we woke up to the smell of dad’s pancakes Saturday morning, served with sausage and syrups!

Often, we would sing, “Come Home, come home, its supper time.” That time has come for him. We miss him already. Its Supper Time Upon the Golden Shore. May God extend His grace to us, that we will meet him there.

His survivors include his wife; Lorine; children: Corinne and Michael Dueck; Weldon and Ruth Hiebert; Margaret and Richard Penner; Lois and Galen Goossen; Mark and Rachelle Hiebert; David and Nadine Hiebert; eighteen grandchildren, and twenty-five great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; Diana Nikkel and Anne Dueck.

He was predeceased by three infant great-grand children: Alba; Andres; and Lars.

The viewing & memory service will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. To join the family via livestream, please click HERE.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at Rosenort Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Rosenort, MB.