Lisa Wiebe
Lisa Rene Wiebe was born in Scott City,
Kansas, on September 30, 1974. She was adopted as an infant by Ted
and Nettie Wiebe and grew up on the family farm located northeast of
Garden City, Kansas.
As an infant with Down's Syndrome, Lisa
faced multiple health concerns. These included a heart defect that
constantly threatened her life until surgery was possible at age
four. Both during this time of uncertainty and following the
successful procedure, Ted and Nettie spent hours teaching Lisa to sit
and walk. Lisa continued to learn other skills, including a love of
riding her bike, as she grew older.
Lisa's younger sister, Lori, was also
adopted by Ted and Nettie and became a beloved playmate and companion
to Lisa. After Lori died in a childhood accident, Lisa became the
focus of her parents' attention. She was especially fond of special
meals made by Nettie that often included Lisa's favorites: cherry
pie, rhubarb plotz, and ice cream.
Lisa attended public school in Garden
City until she was 21 and enjoyed her time with teachers,
para-educators, and other students. She worked at a local Garden City
restaurant, wrapping silverware with napkins and stacking plates. She
loved participating in the many different activities at Garden Valley
Church in Garden City, Kansas, especially being part of prayer
meetings with her parents.
Following the death of her mother and
during the time her father developed health problems, Lisa moved to
Hesston to live with her cousin and guardian, Bev Wiebe (and Bev's
son Michael), in June 2005. Bev encouraged Lisa to continue drawing
pictures and coloring, working on puzzles, and playing the piano.
During her time with Bev, Lisa also volunteered at the Hesston
Community Childcare Center, where she adored spending time with the
younger children.
Lisa was a great hugger. Her infectious
smile was her way of making friends wherever she went. Bev recalled
how, during walks through Hesston, people she didn't know would come
up to Lisa to greet her as an old friend and would need to introduce
themselves to Bev. It wasn't just people. Lisa loved petting her cat,
Calico, and singing Sunday School songs to her dog, Tracy.
Lisa recently moved to Showalter Villa
in Hesston, where she continued to connect with other residents and
staff. Following an intense bout with pneumonia, Lisa passed away and
returned to her heavenly home on May 5, 2019.
Lisa is survived by her cousin and
guardian Bev Wiebe, Bev's son Michael, Janice and her husband Ben
Ollenburger, Carl and his wife Marcella, Dale and his wife Elizabeth,
Glenn and his wife Maura, and Virgil and his wife Susan Schmidt.
Lisa is preceded in death by her sister
Lori, her mother Nettie, and her father Ted.
A memorial service will be held in the
Showalter Villa Chapel in Hesston, Kansas, on Friday, May 10, at
11:00 with a graveside service at Valley View Cemetery in Garden
City, Kansas, at 11:00 on Saturday, May 11th.
