Jessica Wiebe

Jessica Charles Lauer Wiebe was born in the evening on April 11th, 1984, in Bracebridge Ontario. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Pat & Charlie Lauer, and the cutest and chubbiest of their babies by far. 

The Lauers lived all over Ontario - moving from Bracebridge to Moosonee, then Cochrane, and eventually settling in Thunder Bay Ontario for most of Jess’s elementary, high school, and college years. Everywhere she went, Jess’s infectious laugh drew us all in. She had a perpetual twinkle in her eye and a knack for finding the fun in any situation - and for bringing others along into her shenanigans.  

She loved bathing suits so much that she began wearing them under her clothes in kindergarten, in a community whose winter windchill warnings often meant that exposed skin would have frostbite in less than 5 minutes. Her love never waned, and she was never happier than when she was on a lake, in the sun, wearing the first of many different bathing suits she’d change into in a single day. 

A talented athlete, she played soccer and regional-level volleyball, and worked as a lifeguard.

She trained as a dental hygienist and shocked us with all the stories and family connections she’d figure out while talking to her patients - we never understood how she managed to hold a conversation with people whose mouths were full of dental equipment, but that was that Jess magic for you.

Jess and Troy met while fighting forest fires in Geraldton, Ontario, so it came as no surprise that their son, Charlie (born July 2014) inherited their mutual love of the outdoors. Camping, fishing, and waterskiing at Bay Lake were the center of many happy family memories. Like his Mom, Charlie is a great athlete and Jess was so proud of him on his hockey and baseball teams.

Jess was a bright light, and her sparkle lives on in everyone who knew her, especially: her son, Charlie Whitman Wiebe and his Dad, Troy; her parents, Pat and Charlie Lauer; her sisters Jen Lauer (Dave Payne, daughter Brynn) and Krista Lauer (Nate Porter, daughters Beverly and Margaret).

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Billingsley Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Speeches will be said at 3:00 p.m.  Livestreaming of the speeches will be available for those unable to attend.  The link for the livestreaming can be found in the service section.

Thank you for your overwhelming messages of sympathy and support. Other ways you may choose to honour Jess’s life could include,

Share Memories of Jess for Charlie 

Please share your stories and photos of Jess on her memorial board: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/GHEnrSxe/jess These will be compiled into a book for Charlie to cherish and keep her light alive. QR code

 Support Charlie’s Future

A fund has been established in Charlie’s name to support his future, from extracurricular activities to post-secondary education. Contributions can be made via e-transfer to: charliewiebe182@gmail.com. 

Donate in Jess’s Memory

Consider making a donation in Jess’s name to one of the following organizations:  Canadian Mental Health Association or Next Goal Wins, the Mike Brown Foundation for Youth in Sport