The confident, energetic and positive thinking Ann (Shulz) Wiebe of German decent was born in Glidden, Saskatchewan in the year of 1931. She was a mere 18 months old when her parents decided that they could not withstand yet another year of crop failures so they packed up their family, headed west and ended up on Vancouver Island.
Ann says, "I lived on Vancouver Island for 40 years, I grew up there and that is where I eventually met and married Jake Wiebe. Together we raised four beautiful daughters; Julie (Ron) Fisher a music teacher and Verna (Bill) Houghtaling a real estate agent with the nickname of 'Mrs. H.' both live here in Prince George. Theresa (Brent) Petrick drives one of the biggest trucks in the world in Fort McMurray and Arlene (Joe) Delawsky is a real estate agent in Dawson Creek. My four girls and my wonderful son-in-laws gave me eight grand children and six great grandchildren all of whom are the greatest children in the world."
I asked Ann how and when they managed to come to Prince George and she explained, "In 1973 we were on a holiday in Jasper; we stopped in Prince George to visit my sister-in-law and we accidentally bought a trailer park! Believe me, it was an interesting conversation all the way home. When we got home we sold the house within five days, packed up, moved to Prince George and never looked back. That was 41 years ago and in retrospect it was truly a great move.
"The plan was that we would run the trailer park together. One day Jake went to help a friend and it turned into a full time job with Westcoast Parts. I can remember saying that I didn't want to run the trailer park by myself so I decided to go into real estate. I quickly discovered that I had found my passion and I sold real estate for the next 20 years. I met so many nice people over the years."
Ann said, "My husband eventually joined me in real estate and from there he bought into the Honda Dealership. He also built and operated the Olympic Beauty Supply business until he retired. Unfortunately he passed away in 1993."
Ann, affectionately known to her friends as Lady Lunch-a-lot, is now 83 years old. She retired in 1999 at the age of 68 and she says she is busier that a hornet. She has a very heavy schedule and she explains it like this, "I get my starter fluid and meet with my friends (both men and women) every morning at Timmy's from 8 to 9 am with the exception of Friday and Sunday. It is not always the same group but we always have fun; we tell jokes and tease one another constantly.
"I play Canasta on Mondays at the North Central Senior Centre in College Heights and Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Spruce Capital Senior Centre on Rainbow Drive. I have hosted my bridge group on Friday for the past 35 years. On Wednesday I work in the gift shop for the Hospital Auxiliary. I have been working in the gift shop for the past 15 years and I love it.
"Sunday is my day to go to church followed by brunch with friends and then I just goof off for the rest of the day.
"Sewing is my main hobby. I am easily bored so I keep busy with a small business on the side doing alterations."
Ann Wiebe is lively, humorous and an interesting person to talk to. She is so optimistic and she exudes so much energy that you just want to be in her company. Ann said, "I have had a very interesting life. I am thankful for my reasonably good health and all my family and friends. I believe that if God gives you time and talent and if you don't use it for good things then you could easily get on the recall list."
