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Bietz, 44, died September 8 after a 10-month battle with cancer. At the time of his death he was the Resource Manager for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada Food Program. Bietz spent 18 years with MCC, first as a volunteer in Bolivia and later with MCC Canada in Winnipeg. It "was a wonderful experience, something I wouldn't trade for the world," he recalled.
Bietz was proud of the part he played in this effort to feed hungry people, but was equally proud of less visible contributions, such as helping a Bolivian community adopt horse and wagons for transportation.
During his trips overseas, Bietz met many hungry people. Seeing them affected the way he and his family lived. " We tried not to place a lot of value on material things--money is useful, but it doesn't bring true happiness."
Regarding his cancer, Bietz felt the normal range of emotions from anger to acceptance. "People say it isn't fair that I should be dying of cancer. Sometimes I feel they are right. It's not fair! But then I ask myself what, exactly, is 'fair'? Who makes the yardstick to measure it? The fact of the matter is life isn't fair. In Bolivia parents have 10 children, knowing that as many as four will die of what we know are preventable diseases, like diarrhea."
Looking back, Bietz said he had "no regrets", except for being unable to be around to see his kids grow up. "But I've lived a full life. I feel like I did more in 44 years than some people do in 80. I have a good marriage, a good family, good friends. And I think I made a contribution in the world."
Bietz is survived by his wife Judy, children Angela, Philip and Thomas and parents Raymond and Esther Bietz of Scotland, South Dakota. He was a member of Winnipeg's Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church.
John Longhurst, freelance writer in Winnipeg, Manitoba
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