Obituary for Helen Martens (Petkau)
On January 29, 2023, Helen Martens was released from the constraints of her physical body into the welcoming arms of Jesus. She will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by son Edward (Grace) Martens, daughter Evelyn (Ken) Gevers, daughter Eloise (Jeff) McCulloch, son Vincent (Sandy) Martens, and daughter Lisa (Will) Harris-Martens. Father Cornelius Martens passed away on July 30, 1996.
Also cherished in memory and dearly missed by grandchildren: Shannon (Damian); Melissa (Dani); Rebecca (Tyler); Christy (Jeff); Bradley (Rachel); Carlene (Kyle); Mikayla and Colby. Great-Grandchildren: Elijah, Eloise and Emily; Avery, Abigail and Roman; Jhden and Auriana; Braiden and Amelia, and by her many nieces and nephews.
Helen was also predeceased by mother and father Gerhard and Aganeta Petkau, mother-in-law Helen Martens, siblings and brother/sisters-in-law George (Mary, Ella), Natalie (Don), John (Elinor), Anne (John) and Betty (Brian).
Helen Petkau born November 24, 1927 was married to, and predeceased by, Cornelius Martens, a widower who brought two children Edward and Evelyn into the marriage on January 9, 1965 at the Notre Dame First Mennonite Church.
Helen was born in The Village of Neuenburg, Winkler, MB. She grew up on the farm with her parents and siblings in Newton Siding, MB. She attended Wingham School throughout her childhood and youth, and then went on to attend one year of schooling in Gretna, MB and her final year at the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute. She attended and was baptized in the Newton Mennonite Brethren Church.
After completing school, Helen worked at the Grace Hospital and then went on to work at the Concordia Hospital. A highlight to note, was that Helen was the first receptionist to be hired at the newly opened Concordia Hospital, and a picture of her working at the main switchboard was commemorated in Concordia Hospital’s 75th anniversary calendar. Helen was a hard worker throughout her whole life. One of our proudest moments as children, was when our mother obtained her certification as a Home Support Worker, graduating with honours from RRCC, at the prime age of 60. But above all of her accomplishments in life, she proved over and over again, that being our Mother was her highest calling.
Helen was a lover of sunshine, nature and animals. Her family was her pride and joy, and her home was the hub for family gatherings, fabulous meals and spectacular desserts. In the neighborhood, she was affectionately known as “the cookie lady” and children would randomly come to the door and ring the doorbell, eagerly anticipating a special treat.
Throughout her lifetime, Helen was a faithful and active member of the NKMB church. Helen’s friendships with the Ladies in church were a source of support and strength to her as well.
Helen’s faith in God and a passionate love for His word, was shown and proven by the way she daily lived her life, loved others, but especially loved her children. Mother’s worn-out Red Bible and the Daily Bread were always at her bedside table, as well as her little radio. CFAM was Mom’s station of choice and could always be heard playing somewhere in the background throughout the house.
Helen’s first major fall was in 2015, and this was the unfortunate start of her gradual decline which required Homecare to be initiated in August of 2017. This was followed by another bad fall in July of 2020, from which she did not return home. After this second fall, mom was at the Health Sciences Centre and then transferred to Seven Oaks Rehab where she was eventually panelled to Donwood Manor in October 2020.
Throughout her time at Donwood Manor, Helen was blessed with an additional family; and that was all of the Donwood staff...the amazing, wonderful team of “angels in disguise” who faithfully ministered to and lovingly served our Mother, including her dear and loving companion Nely that visited with her three times a week up the very end of our Mother’s days. There are no words, as a family, to express our gratitude to the Lord for these beautiful people that loved our Mother and walked alongside her and all of us, during her final years on this earth.
Our Mother was our safe place. When you were with her you felt unconditionally loved, you felt enveloped in something that just felt warm and wonderful. Whenever you came into her presence, whether it was bursting through the front door as a child, or visiting and gathering with her at her home...around a dinner table of delicious food; or in her final years at Donwood Manor...whatever threshold that she was on the other side of...you would most certainly...and never without a doubt...and ALWAYS...be greeted with the most wonderful of welcoming smiles, and the biggest and hearties of hugs and kisses.
This was Helen, this was our Mother and our Our Legacy.
And now she is up in heaven, and she is no longer “homesick”, because she is finally “home” on the farm with mom and dad, and all of her siblings. Most likely they have just finished up all the chores and are just sitting down on the front porch, laughing and joking together, ready to have faspa and a good, strong cup of coffee.
Funeral will be held at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Green Acres Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Donwood Manor Personal Care Home, 171 Donwood Drive, Winnipeg R2G 0V9
Also cherished in memory and dearly missed by grandchildren: Shannon (Damian); Melissa (Dani); Rebecca (Tyler); Christy (Jeff); Bradley (Rachel); Carlene (Kyle); Mikayla and Colby. Great-Grandchildren: Elijah, Eloise and Emily; Avery, Abigail and Roman; Jhden and Auriana; Braiden and Amelia, and by her many nieces and nephews.
Helen was also predeceased by mother and father Gerhard and Aganeta Petkau, mother-in-law Helen Martens, siblings and brother/sisters-in-law George (Mary, Ella), Natalie (Don), John (Elinor), Anne (John) and Betty (Brian).
Helen Petkau born November 24, 1927 was married to, and predeceased by, Cornelius Martens, a widower who brought two children Edward and Evelyn into the marriage on January 9, 1965 at the Notre Dame First Mennonite Church.
Helen was born in The Village of Neuenburg, Winkler, MB. She grew up on the farm with her parents and siblings in Newton Siding, MB. She attended Wingham School throughout her childhood and youth, and then went on to attend one year of schooling in Gretna, MB and her final year at the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute. She attended and was baptized in the Newton Mennonite Brethren Church.
After completing school, Helen worked at the Grace Hospital and then went on to work at the Concordia Hospital. A highlight to note, was that Helen was the first receptionist to be hired at the newly opened Concordia Hospital, and a picture of her working at the main switchboard was commemorated in Concordia Hospital’s 75th anniversary calendar. Helen was a hard worker throughout her whole life. One of our proudest moments as children, was when our mother obtained her certification as a Home Support Worker, graduating with honours from RRCC, at the prime age of 60. But above all of her accomplishments in life, she proved over and over again, that being our Mother was her highest calling.
Helen was a lover of sunshine, nature and animals. Her family was her pride and joy, and her home was the hub for family gatherings, fabulous meals and spectacular desserts. In the neighborhood, she was affectionately known as “the cookie lady” and children would randomly come to the door and ring the doorbell, eagerly anticipating a special treat.
Throughout her lifetime, Helen was a faithful and active member of the NKMB church. Helen’s friendships with the Ladies in church were a source of support and strength to her as well.
Helen’s faith in God and a passionate love for His word, was shown and proven by the way she daily lived her life, loved others, but especially loved her children. Mother’s worn-out Red Bible and the Daily Bread were always at her bedside table, as well as her little radio. CFAM was Mom’s station of choice and could always be heard playing somewhere in the background throughout the house.
Helen’s first major fall was in 2015, and this was the unfortunate start of her gradual decline which required Homecare to be initiated in August of 2017. This was followed by another bad fall in July of 2020, from which she did not return home. After this second fall, mom was at the Health Sciences Centre and then transferred to Seven Oaks Rehab where she was eventually panelled to Donwood Manor in October 2020.
Throughout her time at Donwood Manor, Helen was blessed with an additional family; and that was all of the Donwood staff...the amazing, wonderful team of “angels in disguise” who faithfully ministered to and lovingly served our Mother, including her dear and loving companion Nely that visited with her three times a week up the very end of our Mother’s days. There are no words, as a family, to express our gratitude to the Lord for these beautiful people that loved our Mother and walked alongside her and all of us, during her final years on this earth.
Our Mother was our safe place. When you were with her you felt unconditionally loved, you felt enveloped in something that just felt warm and wonderful. Whenever you came into her presence, whether it was bursting through the front door as a child, or visiting and gathering with her at her home...around a dinner table of delicious food; or in her final years at Donwood Manor...whatever threshold that she was on the other side of...you would most certainly...and never without a doubt...and ALWAYS...be greeted with the most wonderful of welcoming smiles, and the biggest and hearties of hugs and kisses.
This was Helen, this was our Mother and our Our Legacy.
And now she is up in heaven, and she is no longer “homesick”, because she is finally “home” on the farm with mom and dad, and all of her siblings. Most likely they have just finished up all the chores and are just sitting down on the front porch, laughing and joking together, ready to have faspa and a good, strong cup of coffee.
Funeral will be held at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Green Acres Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Donwood Manor Personal Care Home, 171 Donwood Drive, Winnipeg R2G 0V9