HELEN DERKSEN

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HELEN DERKSEN January 2, 1920 - June 18, 2013 On a beautiful sunny day our mom, Helen Derksen (nee Friesen) passed away, having spent the day surrounded by her loving family. Helen died on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Resthaven Nursing Home, Steinbach, MB. at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband Eugene (1994), her parents Peter and Maria Friesen, her sisters Annie and Marie as well as her grandson Brett. She is survived by her son Rick and his wife Gladys, daughters Marlene and her husband Doug Sobering, Carol and her husband Reg Harder, and Heather and her husband Norman Prost; grandchildren Andrew Derksen and his wife Muriel, Matthew Derksen and his wife Jennifer, Maria Block and her husband Jeff, Steven Sobering and his wife Melanie, Katelyn Prost and her friend Avi Waldman; great-grandchildren William, Anna, and Maximilian Derksen and Liam and Callie Sobering, as well as numerous other relatives, nieces and nephews. Helen was born on January 2, 1920 in Mitchell, Manitoba. She met Eugene and four years later they married on September 12, 1940. Mom was a homemaker who worked very hard raising their children while dad was busy building the Carillon into an award winning newspaper. In the early days, she worked at the shop and then went home and did all the household chores. Both mom and dad loved to entertain and would make up any excuse to celebrate a special occasion. After Eugene died, life was not the same for mom. She lost her best friend. But, she still treated us often, making our favourite dishes and celebrating her birthday with her friends, which she always looked forward to. She made the best chicken noodle soup, kielke, buns and bread. Christmas and Easter dinners at the farm and later at her home at Woodhaven were so special to all of us. She always kept up with the latest news, reading The Carillon and Free Press from beginning to end. Mom was quite sociable and loved to talk to people and was very proud that she knew and could remember their names. Mom called herself a prayer warrior. She prayed for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren constantly. We always knew that we were all in her prayers. She loved having her car. It gave her her independence and freedom to get out anytime. When she gave up her license, she took her walker and trekked to town from her apartment at Woodhaven at least four or five times a week and usually ended up at Chicken Chef. In the last few years, she needed the handivan, so, with their help, Marlene would bring her out on Wednesdays. Saturdays started with breakfast at MJ's with Carol, Heather, Rick and Gladys, which is where they were just last Saturday. She loved being out with her children and was very proud of her grandchildren and great- grandkids. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22 at 1:00 p.m. at the Steinbach Mennonite Church, Loewen Blvd., Steinbach, MB with Mr. Peter Harms officiating. Interment will follow in the Heritage Cemetery. Friends may view prior to the service. We'll miss our mom. She was the matriarch of our family and we all love her. Rest in Peace. Our family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Krahn and the entire staff at the Resthaven Nursing Home for all their care and kindness extended to our mom during her stay there, as well as the staffs of the Grunthal Menno Home and the Steinbach Bethesda Hospital. Thanks also to the fellows of the Steinbach Handivan. You were super. We also appreciate the spiritual care given by Mr. Peter Harms. Thank you all. If so desired, donations in Mom's memory may be made to the Bethesda Hospital Foundation. Thanks for all the years you gave us And for the times we shared. We only hope that when you left us, You knew how much we cared. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220 www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2013