Friesen, Helen Reimer (1912-2004)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2004 Jun 11 p. 28

Birth date: 1912 Jun 13

text of obituary:

HELEN FRIESEN

Helen Friesen died Mar. 16. She was born to John and Katerina Reimer June 13, 1912 in Osterwick, Old Colony, Ukraine. Because she was sickly, she was taken to live with her grandfather and maiden aunts. The extended family moved to Canada in 1923. She lived with her aunt and uncle Annie and John Janzen. At age 14 she went to Winnipeg to work as a domestic for 13 years. She took a stenography course and because secretary to the manager of Eaton's mail order department. The family moved to Yarrow and Helen went to work in Vancouver. She married widower Willie Friesen. She helped run his business and picked berries. Their home was filled with love and laughter. Predeceased by Willie in 1994, daughter Olga McCutcheon, 1 brother, 3 sisters, she is mourned by daughters Katie Mclaughlin, Elvie Butler, Rita McCunn and Rene Watt; son John; 12 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral was Mar. 19 in Clearbrook MB Church.