Rudy Wiens

June 12, 1937 – February 17, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Father, Opa and friend, Rudy Wiens while surrounded by his children. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Nelly. Rudy will be deeply missed by his son Robert (Mylene); daughter Lisa Kirsten (Kent); as well as his grandchildren Bryce, Reagan, Jack and Kate. Rudy will also be missed by many close relatives and friends near and far.

Rudy’s life was highlighted by his love of curling, going to the cottage and most importantly his family. As a devoted husband, Rudy built a life around his family with his loving wife Nelly, who he married in 1961. As a couple, they settled in Winnipeg with a summer residence at Trout Lake in Ontario, where every weekend and vacation day was spent fixing up the cottage, fishing, blueberry picking, and playing cards. As a fixture of the lake community, Rudy made many lifelong friends that carried up right until his passing. Even as a spry 85-year-old, Rudy spent this last summer fishing, blueberry picking, swimming, building a shed, and even tubing. He has left an indelible mark on the Trout Lake community and will forever be remembered as the patriarch of the cottage.

Growing up in Winnipeg’s West End, Rudy lived with his parents and brother and after school worked as a bicycle delivery boy for a pharmacy, as a movie theatre usher, and made donuts in a bakery to contribute to the family finances. Rudy’s career spanned 37 years with the Province of Manitoba Highways and Motor Vehicle Branch where he started out in the mailroom, then as a driver examiner, and eventually worked his way up to a license reviewing officer. He fostered many relationships during this time that continued through 30 years of retirement. Taking great pride in his work, Rudy carried his strong sense of justice and work ethic into work to make the roads safer for everyone.

Outside of work, Rudy enjoyed more than 4 decades of curling, alongside his wife Nelly. As a member of many teams at the Civic Caledonian and Deer Lodge Curling clubs, Rudy won many titles including Club Champion and obtaining an ‘8 ender’, the curling equivalent of a hole-in-one. 

Rudy touched the lives of many people, in many ways from brief conversations with acquaintances to lifelong friendships forged decades ago. Always a guy up for a good conversation about a story he read in the paper or laughing about his favorite funny line from a movie, Rudy laughed easily, often making the people around him delight in his good humor. Even in his final months, Rudy developed a reputation as a guy who expressed such deep gratitude and enjoyment of the simplest things like a good meal, a nice day, or a good conversation. He inspired many people by expressing gratitude and love, even when his own prognosis was dire. All the staff who cared for him commented on what a special and uplifting guy he was.

Many of Rudy’s friendships were forged at the poker table, where he and Nelly enjoyed countless evenings playing cards, sharing stories and winning a few bucks. This pastime is what ultimately lead him to discover the lake he soon settled on after a chance poker game at Trout Lake in 1981. For years after they continued this pastime of playing cards and sharing food and many laughs with friends well into the night.

As a Father, Rudy had a strong sense of family, instilling in his two children the value of hard work, honesty, and ethics along with a strong sense of respect. His purchase of the cottage was to insure for generations his family could be close together and enjoy the experiences he held so close. As Opa (grandfather) Rudy loved spending time with his grandchildren watching hockey and ringette games along with piano and dance recitals.

The family would like to acknowledge the outpouring of care and love by his closest family members Ella and Adam Mohr, along with Alf and Debbie Gimbel who were there to share in all of the moments of Rudy’s life and continued that right through to his final days.

The family wishes to thank the good people of Grace Hospice, Riverview Health Centre and CancerCare Manitoba for their compassionate and wonderful care of Rudy during his last few months.

Cremation has taken place and a private family ceremony will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Rudy’s memory to The Grace Hospital Foundation.

Your love and legacy will be carried by all who you touched and cared for. Until we are together again.