Helen Hajer (Nee Harder)
June 28, 1932 – March 4, 2022
March 4th, 2022, Helen Hajer age 89, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, went home to be with her Lord.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband Henry of 71 years; her children, Herb (Lisa), Harv (Debbie), Wendy (Rick), Cindy (Richard), Jennifer (Duane), daughter-in-law Lisa Anne; 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister and 2 brothers.
Helen is predeceased by son Rudy, 1 grandson, 1 great-granddaughter, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Helen was born June 28, 1932, in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine to Jacob and Maria Harder, the 6th of 8 children. In 1938 when Helen was around 5 yrs. old her father, a schoolteacher, was taken away by Soviet Soldiers.
In 1948 Helen and her family’s immigration journey began in Fallingboster, Germany to Halifax and then onto Main Center Saskatchewan. It was in 1948 in Fallingboster, Germany where Helen first met Henry. They then reconnected in Canada after Henry’s family immigrated a month after Helen’s. In the Spring of 1950 Helen came to Winnipeg, their relationship blossomed and by May 7th they were engaged. On September 16th, 1950, Helen and Henry were married in a double wedding, with her sister Susan to Frank Kleiwer.
Throughout Helen’s life, her relationship with God was the core of her being, witnessing whenever and wherever she could, and her faith was woven into all her commitments and interests in life. She faithfully loved her husband, raised her children, and opened her heart to many foster children. Her artistic nature expressed itself with her many sewing designs, especially wedding gowns. This expanded into her own business and shop in downtown Winnipeg.
Helen was a very active person but especially enjoyed swimming and waterskiing. She and Henry spent many happy years at the cottage hosting friends and family with many great spreads and BBQ’s. Upon retirement, they enjoyed the warm beaches of Hawaii which became their 2nd home and where they became very involved with the local church community.
Once health conditions meant that they were no longer able to travel, they spent most of their time at the cottage until this past year when age limitations kept them in the city. With recent hospitalizations, Helen’s health continued to decline, and she is now at peace.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, with interment at Green Acres Cemetery.
Please respect mask mandate.
In honour of Helen, donations can be made to Canadian Bible Society.