Katie Funk Wiebe, author, Mennonite feminist, Professor Emeritus of English at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas, mother, grandmother and mentor. Her writings are for all women and men interested in being creative and contributing individuals in all stages of adulthood. As a person she is of particular interest to Mennonite Women Canada for her unflagging pursuit of encouraging women to use their gifts in the ministries of the church. In articulate, insightful and inspired writing she tells of her struggles and victories. She is the author of many books, the latest being her memoirs. This is a review of those memoirs.
The Storekeeper’s Daughter, in 17 chapters covers the first 18 years of her life living with her family in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan. It is a wonderful read of a young girl’s experiences growing up in a small town on the prairies.
You Never Gave Me a Name has 4 parts plus a Photo Album. Part I covers her time at Mennonite Brethren Bible College (MBBC) in Winnipeg, her marriage, all their moves so husband Walter could have work teaching, the beginning of Katie’s writing, and the death of Walter after only 15 years of marriage. Part II tells of her experience going to work to provide for herself and her 4 children. In Part III we learn how her
experiences broaden her faith, more opportunities to write come her way, she discovers the women’s movement outside of the church, and she becomes very involved in this movement. Part IV is about growing old and includes much wisdom on this topic.
The cover of The Storekeeper’s Daughter has a picture of Katie as a child. Her feet are solidly planted. One gets the feeling that she will hold her ground in life, and she does – as one learns from reading these 2 books.
To read this review go to http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/mwc/stories.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment