Helena Friesen (nee Letkeman)

1904 – 2004

Helena Friesen (nee Letkeman), beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, slipped peacefully from this world on November 3, 2004 in Steinbach, MB.

She was born to Abram and Helena (nee Harder) Letkeman on January 10, 1904 at Grossweide. The sixth of twelve children, she left school with regret after grade 5 to work on the farm.  Helena loved horses and spent many hours working with them in the barn and on the fields.

She married John (Johann) Friesen of Halbstadt on January 3, 1928. They later resided at Stauartburn, Horndean, Winkler and Steinbach.

Gardening was one of Helena’s favorite avocations. She and John maintained large vegetable gardens wherever they lived, as well as carefully-tended flower beds. Helen continued puttering among the plants into her 90s. She was also a wonderful cook and enjoyed a special talent for crocheting.

At the grand old age of 70, Helen took driving lessons and earned her license for the first time. She wanted to share duties behind the wheel when they visited family.

Following John’s death Helen moved to Cedarwood senior’s apartments in Steinbach, where she assisted in readying the noon meals. She retired from this duty when she turned 90, saying, “I have worked long enough!” Helena would often sit with a lady across the hall, reading the Bible to her.

Helena’s 100^th birthday celebration in January 2004 drew family members from across southern Manitoba, and the occasion was marked with an item in the Steinbach Carillon. At the time of her passing, she was the eldest of Rest Haven Nursing Home.

Helena was predeceased by her father Abram in 1924; her mother Helena in 1956; son Edward in 1980; husband John in 1987; brothers Abram (as an infant), Peter, Jacob, Abram and David; and sisters Margaretha, Maria, Anna and Aganetha.

She is survived by; son Abram and his wife Ann (Wilson) of Abbotsford, BC; daughter Helen Fedorowich and her husband Nic of Neepawa; grandson Dr. Craig Fedorowich and his wife Barbara (Tinkler) and great-grandson Kardy of Hamiota; grandson James Fedorowich and his wife Maureen (Van den Bussche) of Alexander; grandson Sean Fedorowich and his wife Maria (Candido) and great-grandchildren Nicholas and Sarah of Winnipeg; son John of Rush Lake, SK; granddaughter Linda (widow of Darcy) of Brandon; granddaughter Patricia and her husband Danny  and great-grandchildren Kelsey, Reese and Riley of Portage La Prairie; granddaughter Laurie and her husband Dave and their children Elicia, Reid, Kyle and Victoria of Brandon; daughter Eileen Friesen and her husband Abe of Steinbach; grandson Christopher Friesen of Winnipeg; sister Katherine Friesen and her husband Bishop John Friesen of Lowe Farm; sister Elizabeth Klippenstein (widow of Diedrich) of Altona; as well as many nephews and nieces, and sister-in-law Helen Friesen of Calgary, AB.

Funeral services were held at the Sommerfeld Church, Winkler at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 7, 2004 with Pastor Abe Hoeppner officiating. Interment followed at Grossweide Cemetery.

 “May God be with you ‘til we meet again”

 Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements.