Katharina Susie Wall Wiens
Katharina
Susie Wall Wiens, 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on
May 31, 2009, at the Horizon Hospice Home in Billings. Because
of her strong will and determination, she was able to live
independently until a few weeks before her death. She was a
loving and caring mother and grandmother and will be dearly
missed.
Katharina was born on November 28, 1912 to Aaron J. Wall and Susanna Becker Wall in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. She was the third child of five children.
When she was almost 5 years old, her family made the week long journey in a Model T Car from Mountain Lake to the Volt area, North of Wolf Point where they homesteaded. She remembered sleeping nights in farmer’s haystacks in fields along the way, that she was very sick, and that her brother Dave always lost his cap. While growing up she attended the Liberty School in Lustre and graduated from the 8th grade in 1927. She also attended one year of Bible School at the Lustre Bible School. Katharina was baptized upon her faith on August 16, 1926 she loved the Lord with all her heart and she prayed for her children every day. She was a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Church, Lustre, Montana, and was the Ladies and Children’s Choir Director for seven years; she taught Sunday School and was also the Church organist. She would play her beautiful hymns without looking at the hymnal. In her later years she attended Wicks Lane Baptist Church in Billings and was also their organist until she turned 90 when she decided it was time to retire.
On March 28, 1934 she married Herman Wiens and together they raised seven children. Herman and Katharina farmed and ranched in Lustre until 1973 when they sold the farm and moved to Wolf Point. In 1990 they moved to Billings. Katharina was a wonderful cook and was known by her grandchildren for making the best mashed potatoes and gravy in the world. Her beautiful hand made quilts were treasured by all. She loved to sew and through the years she made most of her clothes and her children’s clothes. If she bought herself a garment from the store, you could be sure she would take it apart and work it over so it fit perfectly. In her later years she crocheted many afghans and pot holders and gave the pot holders to people who visited her. She was also a carpenter. If something needed fixing, she would get out her tools and the next thing you knew, she fixed it. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do.
Katharina is survived by her children Albert (Edith) Wiens, of Butte, North Dakota, LaVern (Patricia) Wiens, of Wolf Point, Montana, Donald (Carol) Wiens, of Billings, Montana, Robert (Cindy) Wiens, of Craig, Colorado, Kenneth (Deanne) Wiens, of Dillon, Montana, Doris (Daren) Tomlinson, of Billings, Montana, son-in-law, Herb Toews of Wolf Point, Montana; 16 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; her brother David Wall of Wolf Point, Montana; and sister Laura Goertzen of Dalmeny, Sask. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman; daughter Laura Toews; 3 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and her brothers Orlando Wall and Irvin Wall.
The family would like to thank all the nurses at Riverstone Health and Dr. Guzman who took such wonderful care of her. Donations may be made to Riverstone Health or the Horizon Hospice Home, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107-5033.
Visitation will be at Michelotti-Sawyers from 12-8 p.m., Tuesday and prior to the service. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 3, at Wicks Lane Baptist Church, 1605 Bench Blvd. Interment will follow at Terrace Gardens.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
We also had many good times at the Herman and Katharina Wiens farm with all of you cousins and your Mom cooking tons of delicious food for us.
In later years, as we all grew up and became busy with our own families, we touched base mainly through our parents who were in more frequent contact than we.
I fondly remember visiting both your parents in Billings, Mt in the late '90's. They welcomed us and our traveling companions into their lovely home and served us yummy food while entertaining us with updates on their children etc. They were charming, vibrant and totally delightful to visit with. I'll always treasure that time with them.
The last time I saw them was at the Wiens Reunion at Fort Peck, Mt. in 1999 or was it 2000? By this time your dad was failing and we could see that your mom was concerned and doing her best to care for him.
Now they are together again in the presence of their Lord and Savior. How wonderful for them and those who were wondering what was taking them so long to arrive.
What a day that will be when we all rejoice together with those loved ones who served Jesus faithfully and encouraged us to do the same.
Our prayers and blessing to all family members and friends.
Carol (Wiens) and Don Lundborg
Greg, Deb, Georgia pat and Lavern
sorry to hear about your loss. your in my prayers Gregg Downing