HELGA OLAFIA MALIS

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HELGA OLAFIA MALIS

On August 13, 2024, Helga Malis (nee Peterson), a beautiful soul and beloved mother, left this earth to join those who have gone before her. While our hearts and the hearts of others who have known her are heavy with loss, we are relieved that she has found peace. Helga was predeceased by her parents, Gudmunder Peterson (1994) and Gudny (Gwen) Peterson (1991). She was predeceased by her beloved son Blair Malis (2022), her son-in-law Garry Painter (2004) and her cousin who was like a brother to her, Terry Tergesen (2013). Helga was also predeceased by many aunts, uncles and cousins in both her family of origin and those who were related by law, too many to recollect. She was the last of a generation.

Helga is survived by her children: Denise Malis (Shaun Lynch) in Boston, USA; Vivian Painter in Gimli, MB; daughter-in-law Susan Malis in Ottawa, ON; Maureen Malis (Peter Jungen) in Berlin, Germany; John Malis (Gabrielle) in Gatineau, PQ; and Marilyn Malis (Gordon Cunningham) in Antigonish, NS. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Mekkin Lynch (Rahsheik Glenn) in Boston, USA; Sarah Painter (Aaron Bernier) in Lorette, MB and Stephanie Painter (Kyle Okaluk) in Winnipeg, MB; Emily Malis-Lessard (Brady Lessard) and Michael Malis both in Ottawa, ON; Marshall Cunningham (Thalya Joorisity) in Edmonton, AB, Oliver Cunningham in Antigonish, NS and Elin Cunningham in St John’s, NL; Freya Jungen, Keiran Jungen and Stella Jungen all in Berlin, Germany. Additionally, Helga leaves her six beloved great-grandchildren: Ronin and Ryah Glenn; Dawson and Hazel Okaluk; and Gaiden and Rya Bernier.

Helga was born in Gimli on January 14, 1935, on the very property her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have gathered and made memories over decades past. She grew up in Gimli, which at that time was a very Icelandic Canadian community, learning English only when she started school. The daughter of a Lake Winnipeg fisherman, she spent her early years living with her family in winter fishing camps far out on the lake. Helga endured many hardships during her childhood starting with the separation of her parents in the early 1940s and the uncertainty that it caused but she was dearly loved by the members of the Peterson, Solmundson and Tergesen families and grew into a curious, warm-hearted and strong young woman whose intelligence and openness guided her as a loving mother to all for her long life. Helga graduated from Gimli High School in 1952 and began studies in Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. However, she left nursing to marry Ronald Malis in 1954 and started a family of her own. Over the next nine years Helga grew her family in every corner of Canada from Radium Hot Springs, BC to Ottawa, ON to Halifax, NS having two babies in each province. While she grew up in a single-parent/only-child home, she came into her own while mothering six children. She was a competent household manager and supportive spouse coping with numerous and frequent moves across Canada. When asked once “How did you do it, Helga?” her response was “I can’t remember - it’s a blur”. She was the heart and soul of our family always dividing her time and love amongst her children and grandchildren through all phases of their childhoods. Through her support, guidance and love we collectively believe that her intelligence, strength and tenderness followed all of us into our adult years. No matter where we lived, the time zone, the problem or the dilemma our mother would give sage advice and unconditional love and support. It is impossible to describe the contributions she has made to our lives including all of her grandchildren with whom she maintained important and individual relationships over the years as they grew into adults. Although her dementia illness disallowed her the same relationship with her great-grandchildren, they all knew and felt the love of their Langamma.

Helga entered a new phase in her life in the late 1980s: she found herself single again after a 32-year marriage and went onto complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at Carlton University followed by a career in the Federal Civil Service. She relocated from Ottawa to Winnipeg in 1993 and then finally to Gimli where she took ownership of her father’s property on Lake Winnipeg in 1997. Moving back home and reconnecting with her original community we saw our mother invest and engage in all things Gimli: Helga was the secretary of the Icelandic National League of North America, one of the editors for the Icelandic Canadian Journal, president of the Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society, creative writing chair of the Islendingadagurinn and the original Fjallkona Dresser. Helga was honoured by being named Fjallkona in 2010.

Helga was passionate about choirs and sang with the Sweet Adeline’s, Sisters of the Holy Rock, the Gimli Lutheran Church Choir, the Happy Hour group at Betel and the Westshore Singers of which she was a founding member. Helga’s other passion was travel and in her retirement years she travelled the globe - helping her children with their young families near and far, as well as exploring countries, cultures, and continents with her trusty travel mate, Lorna Tergesen. Helga’s family visits and global travels came to an unfortunate end in 2016 when her illness began to take hold of her life. In 2018 she moved to Betel Home in Gimli where she spent many years and was beloved by the staff at Betel. She was the resident who had the longest naturally blond hair at 89 years old, a wonderful smile and was known for her humorous remarks and witty comments. As a family we wish to extend our thanks to all Betel staff for the care and love given to our mother over the years she lived there.

A memorial service to honour our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Johnson Hall, Waterfront Centre. We would ask that donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to the Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society to continue its work in supporting and growing Icelandic Canadian culture (GimliICS@outlook.com or PO Box 1979, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0).

NEIL BARDAL

FUNERAL CENTRE

204-949-2200

Gimli 204-642-7124

neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 07, 2024, Sep 07, 2024