Helene Janzen died June 19, 2009. She was born Aug. 11, 1928 in Schoenwiese, Sibera to Jakob and Katharina Hamm. At 8, Helene moved with her family to Neu-Schoensee, Sagradowka, Ukraine. In 1943, Helene and her parents fled westward, reuniting with Helene’s sister Tina, camping at the Polish border for the winter. Jakob was pressed into war service, and in 1945, the family was displaced until they made contact with Canadian relatives and arrived in Winnipeg in 1947. Helene worked as a domestic to support her mother and sister. She reunited with Gerhard Janzen, whom she met in a refugee camp in Gronau, and they married in 1948. Helene cared for her family and kept house with enthusiasm. Her diligence, generosity, and love of family were undiminished despite recurrent illness. Her mother lived with Helen and Gerhard until 1967, when Jakob was allowed to leave Russia. Helene established lasting friendships with Gerhard’s family when he was reunited with them in 1974. Due to failing health, she moved to Donwood Manor in 2007. Helene is mourned by Gerhard; sons George (Christiane), Victor (Marlene), Paul (Elizabeth); 8 grandchildren.
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