Peacefully on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, Helene left this earthly world to enter her heavenly home. Helene will be lovingly remembered by her six children and their families. Left to mourn her passing, and at the same time, celebrate her long and rewarding life, are: Evelyn (Henry) Harder, Melvin (Johanna), Lorraine (Gordon) Pachal, Ruth (James) Ketler, Randy (Carol), and Don. Also remembering their beloved grandmother are 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Her brothers Henry and Albert, and sister Erna survive her. Helene was predeceased by her loving husband Ed, in January, 2004. Brother Jack and sister Rose have gone before her. Helene was born in Hochstadt on February 27, 1918 to Paul and Mathilda Kihn. She married Ed on June 1, 1939 and celebrated 64 years of marriage before his passing. Ed and Helene farmed in the Kleefeld area for 47 years. To view their manicured yard with all the evergreens and flowers was a pleasure for all who drove by. Helene was happiest when she was tending to her vegetable garden. Ed and Helene sold the family farm and retired to Steinbach in 1986. Their new home and yard were a beautiful addition to the neighbourhood. Travelling to visit relatives all over Canada and the U.S. was a source of pleasure. Mom kept meticulous records for Dad regarding the price and consumption of fuel on these trips. Mom’s diaries she kept for many years were a way of keeping track of the daily operations of the farm and remembering the activities of her family members. Family, friends and neighbours who dropped in unexpectedly, were always greeted cordially and the coffee and whatever cake or cookies happened to be baked that day were promptly set out. The grandchildren looked forward to going to Grandma’s house to play. There were always fresh baked cookies ready for them. Mom’s gentle soul and caring manner endeared her to all who met her. The nurses and staff at Bethesda Place, where mom and dad spent their final years, found mom to be a great source of entertainment, with her dancing in the halls, singing and finding humour in most situations. Being confined to her wheelchair physically, and to her own thoughts mentally, as the Alzheimer’s disease she suffered from slowly gained control of her body and mind, was difficult for her family to observe. God chose to give her a long life and her faith sustained her to the end. As a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Steinbach, mom’s funeral service will be held there on Monday, February 27th at 2:00 p.m., which would have been her 94th birthday Interment to follow at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Hwy #12 S. If friends so desire donations in Helene’s memory may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Memorial Fund, 465 Henry St, Steinbach, MB R5G 0H1