Esther Wiens

Esther Edna Derksen, the daughter of Peter F. and Helena (Dick) Derksen was born on April 22, 1920, at the Bethel Hospital in Mountain Lake, MN. Esther grew up in the Mountain Lake area, received her education at a country school near her home, and she was baptized upon confession of her faith at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Mountain Lake. After completing her education, she worked as a laundry aide at the Bethel Hospital. On April 15, 1943, Esther was united in marriage to Leonard Wiens at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Mountain Lake. Following their marriage they lived and farmed in the Mountain Lake area until moving to Butterfield, MN in 1967. Esther raised their five children and helped Leonard with his DHIA herd testing record business. As a member of the Butterfield Community Bible Church (formerly the Mennonite Church of Butterfield) she was active with Mission Society and as a Sunday School Teacher. She taught others to make Zwieback, was a member of the Extension Club, and she enjoyed sewing and crafts. Esther became a resident of Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James, MN in 2000, and this is where she died on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at the age of 88 years. Esther is survived by her four sons, Leon Wiens and his wife Sharon of St. Paul, MN, Mark Wiens and his wife Cindy of Fresno, CA, Erland Wiens and his wife LuAnn of Lewiston, MN, and Pete Wiens and his wife Jane of Victor, ID; a son-in-law, Hugh Long of International Falls, MN; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Theodore Peters of Windom, MN; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Leonard Wiens on February 20, 2008; a daughter, Karen Long; a grandson, Tim Long; a great grandson, Caleb Wiens; and a sister, Grace Peters.