Obituary for Henry Hajer
Henry Hajer
January 30, 1929-April 10,2022
On April 10, just 37 days after his wife, Henry Hajer, age 93, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, went home to be with his Lord.
Left to cherish his memory are his children; Herb (Lisa), Harv (Debbie), Wendy (Rick), Cindy (Richard), Jennifer (Duane), daughter-in-law Lisa; 15 grand children and 21 great-grandchildren.
Henry was predeceased by Helen, his wife of 71 years, son Rudy, one grandson, one great grand daughter, two brothers and four sisters.
Henry was born on January 30, 1929 in Wymyschle Poland. He was the 5th of 7 children born to Wilhelm Hajer and Bertha Kliewer. The village was populated by mostly Mennonites and the church was part of his upbringing. His early years were spent on a farm, but changes came quickly with the horrors of World War 2.
In 1948 at the age of 19, his family was in a refugee camp in Fallingboster, Germany waiting for immigration papers to Canada. Here he first met Helen, or Leni Harder, as she was known then. He was reintroduced to Christianity and
began his walk of faith on August 22, 1948. Leni and Henry promised to make contact again once in Canada.
On October 8th,1948 the Hajer family arrived in Halifax and continued on to Winnipeg. After fulfilling the sponsorship obligation to the Manitoba Sugar Company, Henry made a permanent move to Winnipeg. In the spring of 1949
Helen arrived in Winnipeg from Saskatchewan. Their relationship renewed, they were married on September 16th, 1950 in a double wedding with Helen’s sister Suzie and Frank Kliewer. In July 1951, they welcomed their first son Rudy. Their family continued to grow in the coming years with sons, Herb and Harv, and daughters, Wendy, Cindy and Jennifer.
Henry’s first job in Winnipeg was working for Peerless Laundry. By April 1950, he began his career with Western Grocers. He worked different positions in the warehouse and office. He eventually became the supervisor for the Independent
Trade and was responsible for store development and retail. He did a fair bit of travelling in the six years he held this position. He credits the Lord for a position in the buying department opening up. His travelling decreased and he was able to spend more time at home. He eventually became head buyer for the company. In 1977, there was an opportunity for another promotion and to relocate to Calgary. Henry and Helen decided to stay in Winnipeg. He completed his career and retired in 1991 at 62 years of age. He was known as a man of integrity and honesty in his business dealings.
In 1993, Henry and Helen made a permanent move to their cottage in St. Laurent, and stayed until 2005. They enjoyed many winters in Hawaii spending time with local friends and church family. Their summers were spent at the cottage with family and friends, hosting BBQs and lake fun. Dad spent many a day in his garden, happily sharing the harvest with his many children.
As dad and mom grew older and the winters harsher, they moved to the city, their only travelling was on Hwy 6 to the cottage. They continued to spend the majority of their time there, dad in his garden or on his riding mower, and mom
cutting the lawns with the walking mower.
With her health declining in the last year, Helen died peacefully on March 4th 2022. Henry’s big lonely heart gave out shortly after on April 10th. The steadfast faith in God that guided both of their lives reuniting them once again.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:00 am at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street.
A private family interment will follow at Green Acres Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests masks to be worn.
Service will be livestreamed and available at https://fweb.tv/76063
In honour of Henry, donations can be made to the Canadian Bible Society.
January 30, 1929-April 10,2022
On April 10, just 37 days after his wife, Henry Hajer, age 93, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, went home to be with his Lord.
Left to cherish his memory are his children; Herb (Lisa), Harv (Debbie), Wendy (Rick), Cindy (Richard), Jennifer (Duane), daughter-in-law Lisa; 15 grand children and 21 great-grandchildren.
Henry was predeceased by Helen, his wife of 71 years, son Rudy, one grandson, one great grand daughter, two brothers and four sisters.
Henry was born on January 30, 1929 in Wymyschle Poland. He was the 5th of 7 children born to Wilhelm Hajer and Bertha Kliewer. The village was populated by mostly Mennonites and the church was part of his upbringing. His early years were spent on a farm, but changes came quickly with the horrors of World War 2.
In 1948 at the age of 19, his family was in a refugee camp in Fallingboster, Germany waiting for immigration papers to Canada. Here he first met Helen, or Leni Harder, as she was known then. He was reintroduced to Christianity and
began his walk of faith on August 22, 1948. Leni and Henry promised to make contact again once in Canada.
On October 8th,1948 the Hajer family arrived in Halifax and continued on to Winnipeg. After fulfilling the sponsorship obligation to the Manitoba Sugar Company, Henry made a permanent move to Winnipeg. In the spring of 1949
Helen arrived in Winnipeg from Saskatchewan. Their relationship renewed, they were married on September 16th, 1950 in a double wedding with Helen’s sister Suzie and Frank Kliewer. In July 1951, they welcomed their first son Rudy. Their family continued to grow in the coming years with sons, Herb and Harv, and daughters, Wendy, Cindy and Jennifer.
Henry’s first job in Winnipeg was working for Peerless Laundry. By April 1950, he began his career with Western Grocers. He worked different positions in the warehouse and office. He eventually became the supervisor for the Independent
Trade and was responsible for store development and retail. He did a fair bit of travelling in the six years he held this position. He credits the Lord for a position in the buying department opening up. His travelling decreased and he was able to spend more time at home. He eventually became head buyer for the company. In 1977, there was an opportunity for another promotion and to relocate to Calgary. Henry and Helen decided to stay in Winnipeg. He completed his career and retired in 1991 at 62 years of age. He was known as a man of integrity and honesty in his business dealings.
In 1993, Henry and Helen made a permanent move to their cottage in St. Laurent, and stayed until 2005. They enjoyed many winters in Hawaii spending time with local friends and church family. Their summers were spent at the cottage with family and friends, hosting BBQs and lake fun. Dad spent many a day in his garden, happily sharing the harvest with his many children.
As dad and mom grew older and the winters harsher, they moved to the city, their only travelling was on Hwy 6 to the cottage. They continued to spend the majority of their time there, dad in his garden or on his riding mower, and mom
cutting the lawns with the walking mower.
With her health declining in the last year, Helen died peacefully on March 4th 2022. Henry’s big lonely heart gave out shortly after on April 10th. The steadfast faith in God that guided both of their lives reuniting them once again.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:00 am at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street.
A private family interment will follow at Green Acres Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests masks to be worn.
Service will be livestreamed and available at https://fweb.tv/76063
In honour of Henry, donations can be made to the Canadian Bible Society.