Froese, Helen Dueckman (1902-1990)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 1990 Sep 14 p. 28

Birth date: 1902

text of obituary:

HELEN FROESE

Helen Froese of Menno Hospital, Abbotsford, B.C. passed away July 19. She was born Feb. 28, 1902 to Martin and Katherine Dueckman in Franztal, Ukraine. Here she grew up, was baptized by Rev. Nickel and joined the Rudnerwiede Church. She married Nickolai Brauer Nov. 8, 1920, a union blessed with three children, Liese, Nick and Lena. After 1932, the family moved repeatedly. In 1941 Nikolai was sent to Siberia, where he died Mar. 4, 1944. In September, 1943, Helen and the children fled to Germany. She continually reminded the children of God's grace and encouraged them to trust in him and his guidance. In fall, 1948 she moved to Yarrow, B.C., where Nikolai's brother lived. She worked hard and bought her own home. In February, 1958 she married widower Jacob A. Froese, who had five married sons, Aron, Abe, Henry, Leonard and Irwin. She had a stroke Apr. 5, 1983, losing the power to speak. Jacob passed away June 20, 1990. Her funeral was July 24 in Yarrow MB Church, with Wilf Richert and Henry Classen ministering.