Helena Stobbe

Helena Stobbe (nee Bargen)

January 20, 1929 – June 29, 2025

Helena Bargen was born to Gerhard and Suse Bargen on January 20, 1929 in Gilroy, Sask. As the oldest girl in a family of nine children, she learned to work hard, cleaning and sewing.  On January 17, 1941, at the age of 11, Helena was born again. Then on August 5, 1945, when she was 16, Helena was baptized.

She graduated from Coaldale Bible School in 1950 and later attended Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, SK, in 1953.                     

On July 29, 1954, Helena married Arnold Stobbe, and they settled into an old log house on a farm 14 miles from Borden. 4 ½ years later they moved to Arnold’s parents’ farm.

Helena and Arnold had 10 children – 5 boys and 5 girls. On Sunday afternoons, Mom used the little spare time she had to write letters to missionaries. During the week it wasn’t unusual to come home from school and see Mom patching jeans and hear her singing. After school some days she listened to one of the children practice their reading as she worked. Summers were busy with gardening and falls with canning and freezing.  It was also a time to wash, clean, tease, and card wool, so she could make quilts. 

As the children grew older, Dad and Mom faithfully attended their baptisms, graduations, and weddings. Later they traveled thousands more miles to visit children and grandchildren and to attend the grandchildren’s baptisms, graduations, and weddings.

Mom wrote in a journal daily for much of her life. She also wrote a family history for her children, wrote on “God’s Goodness & Mercy during Arnold’s Accident”, served on the book committee for Precious Memories, the 75^th Anniversary book of the Borden MB Church, and on a committee for The Gerhard G. Derksen Family Book.

Mom was involved in teaching God’s Word throughout much of her life.  She taught Sunday School and DVBS before she was married. While her children were still little, she was teaching Sunday School.  Later she taught Bible Club in Hafford and led ladies’ Bible study in their condo in Saskatoon.    

Dad called Mom a good entertainer.  They had many, many people over for meals and some for nights – family, relatives, missionaries, Chinese students, and their children’s friends. Everyone was made to feel welcome.

Mom loved beauty and worked hard to create beauty wherever she lived.  She planted many flowers to brighten her yards.  Each of the hundreds of quilts she sewed was carefully planned.  She enjoyed making photo albums. After Dad and Mom moved into a condo, Mom embroidered pillow cases for grandchildren, cross stitched Bible verses for her children and grandchildren, and later created beauty with her coloring.

Our mother was a Godly example to us.   As kids, she thanked us for every little thing we did.  When we had our own families, she always welcomed us into her home even when it was not convenient. Mom prayed daily for her family as well as for many others. In her later years as things got more difficult, she was at peace and content. She continued to trust in Jesus, waiting for the day that she would go to heaven.

The Celebration of Helena’s Life is planned for Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10:00 .am. Faith River Christian Fellowship in Saskatoon, SK. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK FOR HELENA STOBBE MEMORIAL SERVICE

(A copy of the live stream will be available to watch at the link above after the service also.)

The burial took place at the Borden MB Church Cemetery on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Helena is predeceased by her husband, Arnold Stobbe.  She is lovingly remembered by her children: Miriam Stobbe, Naomi (Carl) Epp, Daniel Stobbe, Paul (Jan) Stobbe, David (Maggie) Stobbe, James (Rhonda) Stobbe, Priscilla (Barry) McCormick, Dori (Lyle) Krahn, Joanna (David) Bouck, Nathan (Lori) Stobbe; 28 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren; and numerous relatives and friends.

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