Helen Janzen

Helen Janzen

July 18, 1931 – February 11, 2025

Helen passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Preston Avenue Special Care, Saskatoon at the age of 93 years.

Helen was born on July 18, 1931 on a farm 10 miles northwest of Rosthern, Saskatchewan to Henry and Judith Klaassen.  She became part of a large family that eventually gave her 16 siblings.  When Helen was 5, her mother Judith died.  Soon her father remarried, and her second mother, Elizabeth, came into the family.

Helen attended school at Friedensfeld, a one room school near the Klaassen farm, for 9 years.  She was raised in and was baptized on confession of faith into the Eigenheim Mennonite Church.  On the farm, she worked hard to take care of her younger siblings.  Helen married a fellow church choir member, Bill Janzen, on October 22, 1950 at the age of 19.  They made their home on the Janzen farmstead, living there for more than 40 years.

After marriage, Helen continued the work of raising children, this time her own.  Between 1951-1965, she gave birth to 6 children- Verna Mae, Janice, Rodney, Kathy, Vernon and Laurel.  Verna Mae passed away at 2 years old; Vernon only lived 3 days.  The rest of us she lovingly nurtured to adulthood and beyond.

When the children were all school age, Helen began working outside the home, first as an orderly at the Mennonite Nursing Home in Rosthern.  She later worked for several years as the town librarian.  She also tried her hand at selling Tupperware and Avon products.

Helen served her church community in many ways, including through her strong alto singing voice and her culinary skills.

Helen found ways to enjoy what she had been given.  As a girl, she loved running, skating and playing softball with friends at school or church.  She loved being out of doors, planting and tending flowers and vegetables.  She was a lifetime hymn lover and expressed her Christian faith through song.  Over time, she developed a large collection of hymnals, which she treasured.  She enjoyed reading.  Helen crocheted many doilies, giving most of her creations away as gifts.  She received pleasure through stitching quilts, and she made many of them to give to her children and grandchildren.

She volunteered at Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Stores in both Rosthern and Saskatoon, sharing love with her neighbors near and far through this activity.  Her world was broadened when her church welcomed refugees from Central America, and one of them, Wilfredo, became a lifelong friend of Helen and Bill.

At retirement, Helen moved with Bill to Saskatoon.  After experiencing some good years together there, she suffered from dementia for about 15 years. Bill cared for her as long as he was able. Then, she was well cared for by the staff at Preston Special Care Home.  Helen returned to her Maker on February 11, 2025.  We are grateful for who she was.  She lives on with God, and through the many persons whose lives she touched.  To God be the glory.

A Memorial Service will take place on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Eigenheim Mennonite Church. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK FOR THE MEMORIAL SERVICE OF THE LATE HELEN JANZEN

(A link will be posted when it is available.)

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society Of Saskatchewan, 2550 12^TH Ave, Regina, SK  S4P 3X1.

Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.