Obituary for Helen Janzen
It is with great sadness, we the family announce the passing of Helen Janzen (nee Enns) on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home.
Our loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother will be remembered and dearly missed by her husband Henry of 69 years; daughter Margaret (Henry) Daniels and grandchildren Andrea (Phil), Julie (Zach) and great grandchildren Otto and Ambrose, Philip (Jessica); daughter Anne (Gerhard) Heidebrecht and grandchildren Krista (Daryl) and great grandchildren Braden and Cohen, David (Sydney), Steven (Megan); son Henry (Lara) Janzen and grandchildren Luke and Micah; daughter Doris (Jake) Friesen; daughter Carolene (Wally) Funk and grandchildren Macaila, Jenae and Dannica. Helen was predeceased by her parents Franz and Maria Enns, brother Jacob Bergen, brother Gerhard Enns, sister Tina Breul, and brother Frank Enns.
Helen Janzen was born on November 29, 1926 in Neuendorf, Ukraine and was the third of 10 children. She grew up in the tumultuous times during Stalin’s rule when the fruit of their labour went to the collective. She went to grade school in her younger years learning to speak German, Russian and Ukrainian. In those days, church services were not permitted and they met in secret to participate in worship. She was baptized in June, 1947 in the city of Leer, Germany during the trek from Ukraine to Canada.
In 1940 at the age of 13, the German army advanced occupying Neuendorf. In October 1943, with the retreat of the German army, the trek westward began by train to Kulm in Poland. Here Helen worked on a farm for 9 months. From there she moved to Warthegau, Poland and shortly after to Prague where she dug protective trenches (Schützengraben). The following years were ones of transition through Poland. After the war ended, via the Red Cross, she was eventually reunited with most of her family members leaving Germany in August of 1948. She left Germany by ship, arriving in Halifax, and travelled by train to Manitoba where her family was sponsored by her aunt and uncle Justina and Abram Rempel. She lived and worked on their farm before she moved to Winnipeg in fall of 1949. In Winnipeg she worked at Blue Ribbon and General Hospital. On New Year’s day in 1952 she met Henry Janzen through common friends, and on June 14, 1953 they married. Henry and Helen have five children, 4 daughters and 1 son. Her children were the focus of her life. Being a mother came naturally to Helen. She was kindhearted, slow to anger, loving and was more patient than all the family members put together. Her love extended beyond her family never judging, always loving and accepting. Her unwavering faith and quiet strength are what made her a true role model. Helen always had time for her children with long talks around the kitchen table. Making the most amazing food, Sunday lunches were a time of joy, with everyone sharing stories, and plans for the week ahead. We enjoyed chicken roasts (Hühnerbraten) and pot roasts, with the best home baked buns, and fresh tomatoes from the garden. Krümel Platz or one of many other homemade desserts topped things off. She always found creative ways of making food with what was available in the kitchen, a skill she learned growing up and making do with what was around. Sewing dresses, curtains and even sewing tool pouches are all things done with ease. All these skills she willingly and patiently passed on to her children. Helen also participated in the Douglas Mennonite Ladies Group "Frauenverein" where she enjoyed the friendships fostered in her faith community. As her children grew older and Helen had some free time, she was able to tap into her creative self and started making pressed flower cards. She especially loved flowers and walking through flower gardens.
Being Mennonite, of course Helen loved singing, and true to her positive self, her favorite song was ‘Lasst die Herzen immer fröhlich’.
Helen fell ill in the winter of 1983 and in 1984 she was diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer was completely removed, and she has been cancer free ever since.
Helen was blessed with eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all of which have enjoyed her jams, desserts, heaps of loving kindness, and hugs for many years.
Due to health challenges Helen moved to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home on March 9, 2017. Helen could often be found playing a mean game of Mexican Train, smiling and showing the warmth that her heart always radiated. We, her family, would like to thank the staff and Dr. C. Loepp for their care, compassion and support during these last years of her life.
Thank you Mom, for all you have done for us, for all you have taught us over the many years. We were blessed to know you, to share in your life and its lessons. Your day of true peace has finally arrived.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Douglas Mennonite Church, 1517 Rothesay Street, with Interment following at Sage Creek Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home or Mennonite Central Committee.
Our loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother will be remembered and dearly missed by her husband Henry of 69 years; daughter Margaret (Henry) Daniels and grandchildren Andrea (Phil), Julie (Zach) and great grandchildren Otto and Ambrose, Philip (Jessica); daughter Anne (Gerhard) Heidebrecht and grandchildren Krista (Daryl) and great grandchildren Braden and Cohen, David (Sydney), Steven (Megan); son Henry (Lara) Janzen and grandchildren Luke and Micah; daughter Doris (Jake) Friesen; daughter Carolene (Wally) Funk and grandchildren Macaila, Jenae and Dannica. Helen was predeceased by her parents Franz and Maria Enns, brother Jacob Bergen, brother Gerhard Enns, sister Tina Breul, and brother Frank Enns.
Helen Janzen was born on November 29, 1926 in Neuendorf, Ukraine and was the third of 10 children. She grew up in the tumultuous times during Stalin’s rule when the fruit of their labour went to the collective. She went to grade school in her younger years learning to speak German, Russian and Ukrainian. In those days, church services were not permitted and they met in secret to participate in worship. She was baptized in June, 1947 in the city of Leer, Germany during the trek from Ukraine to Canada.
In 1940 at the age of 13, the German army advanced occupying Neuendorf. In October 1943, with the retreat of the German army, the trek westward began by train to Kulm in Poland. Here Helen worked on a farm for 9 months. From there she moved to Warthegau, Poland and shortly after to Prague where she dug protective trenches (Schützengraben). The following years were ones of transition through Poland. After the war ended, via the Red Cross, she was eventually reunited with most of her family members leaving Germany in August of 1948. She left Germany by ship, arriving in Halifax, and travelled by train to Manitoba where her family was sponsored by her aunt and uncle Justina and Abram Rempel. She lived and worked on their farm before she moved to Winnipeg in fall of 1949. In Winnipeg she worked at Blue Ribbon and General Hospital. On New Year’s day in 1952 she met Henry Janzen through common friends, and on June 14, 1953 they married. Henry and Helen have five children, 4 daughters and 1 son. Her children were the focus of her life. Being a mother came naturally to Helen. She was kindhearted, slow to anger, loving and was more patient than all the family members put together. Her love extended beyond her family never judging, always loving and accepting. Her unwavering faith and quiet strength are what made her a true role model. Helen always had time for her children with long talks around the kitchen table. Making the most amazing food, Sunday lunches were a time of joy, with everyone sharing stories, and plans for the week ahead. We enjoyed chicken roasts (Hühnerbraten) and pot roasts, with the best home baked buns, and fresh tomatoes from the garden. Krümel Platz or one of many other homemade desserts topped things off. She always found creative ways of making food with what was available in the kitchen, a skill she learned growing up and making do with what was around. Sewing dresses, curtains and even sewing tool pouches are all things done with ease. All these skills she willingly and patiently passed on to her children. Helen also participated in the Douglas Mennonite Ladies Group "Frauenverein" where she enjoyed the friendships fostered in her faith community. As her children grew older and Helen had some free time, she was able to tap into her creative self and started making pressed flower cards. She especially loved flowers and walking through flower gardens.
Being Mennonite, of course Helen loved singing, and true to her positive self, her favorite song was ‘Lasst die Herzen immer fröhlich’.
Helen fell ill in the winter of 1983 and in 1984 she was diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer was completely removed, and she has been cancer free ever since.
Helen was blessed with eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all of which have enjoyed her jams, desserts, heaps of loving kindness, and hugs for many years.
Due to health challenges Helen moved to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home on March 9, 2017. Helen could often be found playing a mean game of Mexican Train, smiling and showing the warmth that her heart always radiated. We, her family, would like to thank the staff and Dr. C. Loepp for their care, compassion and support during these last years of her life.
Thank you Mom, for all you have done for us, for all you have taught us over the many years. We were blessed to know you, to share in your life and its lessons. Your day of true peace has finally arrived.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Douglas Mennonite Church, 1517 Rothesay Street, with Interment following at Sage Creek Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home or Mennonite Central Committee.