HELGA B. INMAN

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HELGA B. INMAN July 12, 1916 August 18, 2016 Peacefully, on Thursday, August 18, 2016, Helga Bergljot Inman (nee Guttormson) passed away at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home, at the age of 100 years. Born July 12, 1916 in Winnipeg Beach, MB, the third eldest daughter of Einar and Freda Guttormson. That summer, the family moved to Husavik, MB, closer to where Einar had grown up. In the fall of 1921, the family moved again to the Poplar Park area on the south east side of Lake Winnipeg. This is where the family settled on a small farm, where Helga's seven other siblings were born and her parents lived out the rest of their lives. Helga finished Grade 8 at Sheffield School, then spent her teen years helping with farm chores and child care until her younger brothers and sisters were old enough to help with the work. Helga then worked as a "hired girl" to other families in the Gimli, Cypress River and Selkirk areas. By the time she had her own children she had honed her mothering skills to perfection and we have all benefited from her talents. Later, Helga worked in Winnipeg at Canada Glass, etching the patterns onto glass dishes. In December 1940, Helga met George A. Inman at a dance in the old Normandy Dance Hall in Winnipeg. They married on June 19, 1941 in Minnedosa, MB, George's hometown, and they enjoyed 43 years together. After the Second World War, George returned to work with the CPR as a section man. The family lived at Marquette, Poplar Point, Sidney, Manitou, Fannystelle and La Salle, MB, moving to Winnipeg in 1970. During these years, Helga devoted her time and energies to raising four children and running the household. She was active in the Anglican Church Women and Women's Institute whenever available to her. After the move to Winnipeg, Helga worked for Family Services, once again putting her nurturing skills to work and retiring about 1981. Helga was predeceased by her parents, husband and seven siblings (Birgitta, Asdis, Fred, Sam, Hinrik, Bertie and Cliff). She is survived by her four children: Einar (Claudette) of Kormarno, MB, George Jr. of Winnipeg, Linda (Derryl Hall) of Stonewall, MB, and Rod (Nicole) of Winnipeg; eight grandchildren: Karen, Chris and Pam Hall; Lorelei, Carla and Eric Inman; Adam and Jillian Inman, along with their spouses and partners; and 16 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jonas Guttormson, of Winnipeg and one sister, Eileen Rozenhart, of Chilliwack, BC; as well as many nieces and nephews. Helga lived a rich and wonderful life full of love which she shared with all her family and many others. Helga was known and respected for her grace and kindness, her quiet demeanour, and most of all, for her patience. We have had 100 years with a truly amazing woman who touched the hearts of all who knew her. She was a widow for 32 years and lived alone in her apartment quite independently until she was 95. We had a family reunion on July 9, 2016 in celebration of her 100th birthday which she thought was "wonderful". We are all grateful for a healthy, well-lived life and feel blessed to have had Helga here for this long and have many fond memories of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and Amma. Due to macular degeneration and glaucoma, Helga's eyesight started to fail her and slowed her down in her later years, but she bore this with strength and adjusted as best she could. Helga and George were always committed members of the Anglican Church wherever they lived, latterly at St. Paul's Church in Fort Garry, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion. They were always supportive of their family, their community and their church. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at St. Paul's Anglican Church, North Drive and Point Road, Fort Garry, with Rev. David Pate officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in the cemetery at Minnedosa, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helga's memory can be made to St. Paul's Anglican Church, 830 North Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0A6 or CNIB, 1080 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3G 3M3 or a charity of one's choice. "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 24, 2016