Doerksen – Abe Wiens, age 73, of Greenfield, Queens County, formerly of Calgary, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023 in Queens General Hospital, Liverpool.
Raised in Steinbach, Manitoba, Abe was a son of the late Abram and Nettie (Weins) Doerksen.
Abe worked on a lot of jobs doing finish carpentry including many home renovations. He was most proud of the work he did in Churchhill, working on the new Churchhill Complex, The Hamptons County Club in Calgary, where he completed all the finished woodwork and the chuckwagons that he built for the Calgary Stampede.
He was a force, Abe was strong and he was a gentle giant of sorts. He had the biggest hands you have ever seen, builders hands. Abe was passionate about building things and working with wood. He had a gift for making his or others visions come to life, and he was a perfectionist.
Abe grew up in Steinbach Man, and married Sharon Betzold in 1970. They spent two years in Churchill, before he and Sharon started their loving family in Steinbach. Abe and Sharon then moved to Calgary in 1981, spending two years in Saskatoon, 1 yr in Okotoks, they then settled in Lake Bonavista, Calgary in 1986. In 2021 they took an incredible leap of faith and moved across the country to Nova Scotia in search of a quieter life and slower pace, where Abe spent his final years in Greenfield, Nova Scotia.
Abe enjoyed camping when his children were young, fishing, photography, spending time with his grandchildren at Lake Bonavista, NASCAR, collecting rocks, staying informed of the news and reading the entire newspaper every day. Abe also volunteered with the Boy Scouts when his son was younger.
Abe was an incredible listener, quiet, and it was a joy to hear his stories, worldly updates and opinions. He was physically strong and even more strong willed and worked on the front porch every day and every minute his health allowed him to. He was often seen working or sitting, enjoying his accomplishment and watching the lumber trucks and people go by. He would wave and be happy to chat to anyone who came by. Abe was loved and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; daughter, Kerry Doerksen (Daniel Freeman) of Bangs Falls; son, Mark Doerksen (Blenda Rosas) of Calgary; grandchildren, Milo, Victor, Emerson and Elliott; sisters, Dianne (Murray) Howell of Winnipeg, Lottie Joyce (Royal Browne) of Deloraine, Manitoba and Tzipporah Goldstien of Lethbridge, Alberta.
Besides his parents, Abe was predeceased by a sister, Susan Doerksen in infancy and a brother, Perry Doerksen.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Service, Liverpool. In keeping with Abe’s wishes there will be no visitation or funeral service. No flowers by request, donations may be made to the Greenfield United Baptist Church. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.chandlersfuneral.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Doerksen, Abe Wiens
Print Obituary & Condolences
Mary Franko
Kerry and family. Our sincere condolences to you and all your family. Your dad sounded like an amazing spouse, father and grandfather. He will be missed. Mary Franko and family
Fred and Carol
Dear Sharon, Mark, Kerry, and families.Fred and I are shocked at learning of Trangs death. We send our condolences, and may all the memories see you through the days and weeks ahead. Love Fred and Carol
Kevin and Suzanne
Sharon, Kerry, Mark and families,
Kevin and I are so sorry to hear about Trang/ your dad’s passing. Kevin fondly remembers as a young child helping your dad with some work.Trang wrote him out his first paycheck that he still has to this day, uncashed. I remember meeting him for first time on our trip out to Calgary. He was such a soft spoken man, a gentle giant for sure.
You remain in our hearts and thoughts.
Honourable Kim Masland, MLA Queens
To the Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. My thoughts are with you during this very difficult time.
Ron & Nan Walker
Sharon, Kerry,Daniel and family
We are so sorry to hear of Abe’s passing. Treasure the memories. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers as you deal with this huge loss in your family.
Carolyn Hudson
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. His loss will be felt by all who knew and loved him. God bless your family.
Your condolences from your neighbour in Bangs Falls, Carolyn Hudson
Kelly Goudey
Kerry, my deepest condolences in the passing of your dad. My thoughts are with you, my sympathy to your family as well. Sincerely, Kelly G in Yarmouth
Lorraine&Lorraine Betzold
Our deepest condolences
We were so lucky to have spend sometime with him last year .We still talk about how much jam he used to put on his toasts.We will miss you always Big Hugs from Ray&Lorraine
Kimberly Mrena
Our deepest condolences to you Auntie Sharon, Kerry, Marc and your families. Uncle Trang was a kind and soft spoken man, and so very talented.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
RIP Uncle Trang. …. You will be missed, but have left us with wonderful memories!
With love,
Kim and Rick Mrena
Barb Gosselin
Auntie Sharon, Mark, Kerry and your families, sending love, hugs and our condolences. Know we are thinking of your during this tough time. Uncle Trang will always hold a special in our hearts. I have fond memories of him, his presence was so big but yet he was so quiet and gentle. I cherish my memory of visiting Uncle Trang and Auntie Sharon in Churchill, and he was so proud to take us on a tour of the huge complex he was working on.
Love Barb and Pierre
Pamela Soley-Wheatley
Kerry and Family Sending our condolences ,love and hugs on the passing of your Dad . Thinking of you
Pam and David
Marcia Hill
Oh Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about Trangs passing away. I have so many fond memories of all our times together albeit many years ago but never forgotten.
May God wrap his everlasting arms around you and comfort you during this very difficult time.
Take care my friend.
From your old friend, Marcia Hill (Peters)
Ted and Brenda
Sharon and family. So sorry to hear of Trangs passing. Ted often talks about the good old days when they were in the band and when they worked together up north with Uncle Abe. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sandi and Don
Sharon and family.
We were incredibly saddened to hear of Trang’s passing. So many fond memories of days gone by.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you find strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Maureen
Kerry I just popped over to your page to see how you are doing?
Sending love and sunshine.