Kenneth Wayne Wiebe

Member of the Order of Military Merit, Special Service Medal & NATO Clasp, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM), Multinational Force and Observers (Sanai) Medal, 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Canadian Forces Decoration

ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY, CANADIAN ARMED FORCES

Ken began his life’s journey 23 July 1948 at Carman, MB. He is the son of Leslie and Helena (Friesen) Wiebe, the eldest of 6 siblings, Carrol 1950-1998, Dennis 1951, Laverne 1953, Garry 1954, Kelvin 1955-2008. After schooling in Morden Ken went to Winnipeg and worked for a short time before enlisting in the RCN on 16 January 1967. He did basic training at HMCS Cornwallis, NS and then trades training at Borden, ON. He was posted too many bases and worked on numerous aircraft and held a variety of positions over the next 29 years. Shearwater, NS, VU-32 and VS-880 Sqns (CP 121 Tracker A/C), Bagotville, QC, (CF 101 Voodoo), Baden, Germany, (CF 104 Starfighter), Cold Lake AB, 418 Sqn (CF-5 Fighter), Goose Bay, NL, NCO i/c Transient Servicing, Edmonton, AB, 408 Sqn (Kiowa and Twin Huey Helicopters), Montreal, QC, 10 Tactical Air Group HQ as Group Chief Warrant Officer, Edmonton, AB as Wing Chief Warrant Officer and Winnipeg, MB, Investigator Directorate of Flight Safety. Ken and Linda (Dyck) were married 30 August 1974 and a short week later Linda stood on the flight line in Bagotville and watched Ken board an aircraft for the first of many deployments. Their son Trevor was born while stationed in Bagotville and on 23 August 1976 they landed in Germany with an 18 month old son and a 20 day old daughter, Makenzie. When Ken left to report for duty the next morning, foreign country and language, strange city and two little ones was not an impossible challenge to Linda who was somewhat used to being on her own. Over the years Ken had short term deployments to Sardinia, England, Somalia, Haiti and 6 months in Egypt as well as numerous courses and conferences, during which Linda looked after the home front

“My Lindy was a trooper during all the moves and managed to find work in most places we lived. She took some courses and also enlisted in the Air Reserves and served for a few years, she did well. The kids too, in spite of the moves and having to attend numerous schools in different provinces, managed to graduate on time, couldn’t be prouder”, says Ken.

Ken retired from the Forces in May 1996 and went into business with his brother for 7 years and then, in 2003 he and Linda decided to move to Morden. He went into business for himself, Painting and Decorating as well as managing Mudezz Car Wash. In 2010 he decided to run for the Mayor’s office. He won the election and was acclaimed for a second term in 2014. While in office as Mayor, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.

Ken always thought it important that one contribute to one’s community and over the years has been a baseball coach, writer for two military newspapers and editor of one, served on community council, executive positions on a square dance club, curling clubs, church committees, parent volunteer for Cubs and Scouts, Sunday school teacher, volunteer for the Corn and Apple Festival since 2003 and Chair of the Festival in 2008. Ken and Linda have been Legion Members for over 25 years. Ken has worked on the Memorial Banner Project since 2019 and is also a volunteer at the Thrift Store. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Banner Project since 2019 and is also a volunteer at the Thrift Store. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.