Life membership for loyal lady

Details

Published on Saturday, December 19, 2015

By Sheila Runions

Banner Staff

Kathy Wiebe (nee Klassen) was born in Georgsthal, Southern Russia on June 23, 1925; a year later her family moved to Canada and in 1942 they moved to a farm near Rivers. Kathy left the district in 1943 but returned nine years later with a husband (Abe, deceased 2008) and two children (Dennis and Shirley). The years 1952-54 were spent living in Oak River and in August 1954 they moved to Rivers, where Kathy remained until 2011 when failing health necessitated a move to Onanole to live with her third and last child, Janey Brown. In July of this year Kathy was able to move back “home” when a suite was available in Riverdale Personal Care Home in Rivers. 

During her years in Rivers, she was an active community supporter and one of those many organizations was Rivers Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She joined that group on June 2, 1958 and on Dec. 7 the auxiliary held its annual Christmas party, which Kathy attended. It was then that her comrades honoured her with a life membership. The official presentation of a certificate and pin were made by district commander Shirley Kamula while past-president Janey Brown had the honour of securing the pin on her mother’s lapel. Kathy’s other daughter Shirley Lyon, and Kathy’s cousin Judy Pauls, both of Winnipeg, travelled to Rivers to be part of the Monday evening celebration.

Kathy joined in 1958 and six months later she agreed to serve as sick and welfare chairperson, a position she held for 1959; in 1960 and 61 she was in charge of ways and means. Kathy was elected vice-president in 1962 and 10 years later, she was elected for a two-year second vice-president term. The years 1974-75 were spent as first vice-president and then two more years as president. The 1980s and 1990s she volunteered her time to act as auxiliary treasurer but she also served at higher levels — she was deputy zone commander in 1987, zone commander in 1992, deputy district commander in 1993 and district commander from 1997-2001. As sergeant-at-arms from the late 1990s until early 2000s, Kathy had the pleasure of escorting executive members for installation, new members for initiation and participating in many colour parties.

The application form submitted for consideration of her life membership states, “Kathy never shied away from taking an office within the auxiliary and sat on more committees than listed here. She would also perform any duties when she was called upon and attended local meetings regularly. Kathy never failed to attend all zone, district and provincial conventions when she could and within the scope of her duties. Kathy was a willing worker and often found herself helping with fundraisers such as bingos, raffles, teas, canvassing for Red Cross or Salvation Army and just about anything where an extra hand was needed. 

“Her youngest daughter was very much influenced by her mother’s dedication to the Legion Auxiliary. Janey’s dedication to Branch No. 75 auxiliary is a testament to the passion Kathy displayed and instilled within her family.  Kathy’s exemplary dedication is evident even now, as she continues to attend regular meetings even though the state of her health sometimes interferes.

“She was an eager volunteer not only with the Legion Ladies Auxiliary but within her community. Kathy sat on Rivers United Church board as well as singing in the church choir. She was a member of Rebekah Lodge and Seniors for Seniors group. As she continued her working life, and as her children grew up playing sports, she could often be seen watching baseball, football, volleyball and basketball games.”

Rivers Legion Ladies Auxiliary was chartered on May 28, 1946 and now has two life members, Kathy, aged 90 and Zella Twigge, aged 95.