Obituary of Helen Rose Woelke (nee Fuchs)

Helen Rose Woelke (nee Fuchs) was born January 12, 1941 and passed away in her sleep August 3, 2019, at Bethesda Regional Health centre. Helen was the daughter of Emil and Annie Fuchs. She was born at home in Lowe Farm, MB.

When she was six the family moved to their family farm south of Grunthal, MB. She attended Lister West School.

She was Baptized upon the confession of her faith at the Grunthal Bergthaler Church.

She met Jake Woelke on a blind date and were married at Elim Mennonite Church, in Grunthal, MB, on October 10, 1959.

Mom and dad lost their first son Kenneth in 1960 when he was born prematurely.

Mom is survived by her husband Jake, her children: Wanda Woelke, Judy (Terry) Heckert, Michael (Eva) Woelke, grandchildren: Nick Heckert, Daniel (Taylor) Heckert, Ella Woelke, Rowen Woelke, great-grandchildren: Finley and Ryllan Heckert. She is also survived by her sister Viola Friesen, sisters-in-law: Evelyn and Agatha. From the Woelke family: Marlies (Eric) Berg, Gertrude Bueckert, Helen (Jake) Janzen and many nieces and nephews from both sides.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, siblings: Minnie (Steve) Chomokovski, Abe, Leonard, Marianne (Walter) Begalke, Carl and Waldo (Marge) and brother-in-law Dick Friesen. Great nephew Eric Begalke. From the Woelke family: dad’s parents, Jacob and Anna Woelke, siblings: George (Cathy), Rudy, Robert and niece Carol Bueckert.

Mom worked at Green Valley School as a custodian in the afternoons. When dad retired, she took a second job working mornings at the Menno Home in Grunthal doing housekeeping and laundry. She retired from the school after more than 25 years. This gave mom and dad more time to go for rides and shopping in the afternoon. Mom loved gardening, quilting, cooking and baking.

Thank you to all of you who drove mom back and forth to her many Cancer appointments. Thanks for all of your cards, visits and phone calls. Mom loved and appreciated all of you so much.

A huge thank you to the palliative and home care nurses, Dr. Klus and Dr. Toews, all the nursing staff at Cancer Care, Steinbach Medical Centre and Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Especially Mark Rempel who could always find a vein and bring a smile to her face. Also, her Oncologist, Dr. Czaykowski for his compassion during her appointments and telehealth.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., at Elim Mennonite Church, Grunthal, MB.