HELEN OBACH (OBERTON)

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HELEN OBACH (nee OBERTON) August 2, 1913 - May 13, 2006 Peacefully and suddenly, on Saturday, May 13, 2006, at the age of 92 years, Helen Obach passed away at the Betel Personal Care Home in Gimli. Helen is predeceased by her parents, Nick in 1970 and Michelina in 1980; husband Frank in 1976; sisters, Anne, Kay, Jean; and brothers, Walter and John. She is survived by her sister Nettie Marchuk (passed away May 15, 2006); children, Adolph (Evelyn) of Saskatoon, SK, June (Max) Kibsey of Kelowna, BC, Diane (Gisli) Jonasson of Malonton, MB; grandchildren, Audrey, Eldon (Deb), Brenda (Glen), Chalcea, Doug (Christine), Audie (Heidi), Maxine (Wayne), Tracy, Robyn (Wes), Erinn (Alice), Carmen (Randy); and 25 great-grandchildren. Born in Fraserwood, MB in 1913, she married Frank Obach in 1933. They lived and owned a business, Bill and Frank's Ice and Wood, in Winnipeg Beach. Due to the Depression they moved to the Obach homestead and together farmed for 42 years. Helen continued to farm along side her daughter Diane and husband Gisli. She lived briefly in Ontario then returned to live at the Lodge in Fraserwood. After being hospitalized due to an accident in 1992 she was a resident at the personal care home in Arborg, then transferred to Gimli until her demise. Helen was an extremely hard worker and never gave up. She was an avid gardener, reader, an excellent seamstress, loved singing and did so beautifully. Her Sunday dinners were looked forward to all week by her family. As a mother, Helen was a teacher who wished for her children's success, yet let them lead their own lives. As a grandmother, she was traditional but very creative. She was always interested in her grandchildren's activities, in one instance turning an old granary into a makeshift haunted house. She was very interested in herbal and alternative therapies. She watched The Nature of Things faithfully and often made notes on new and innovative therapies and medical discoveries that her family is still finding. Helen was staid yet had a unique, witty sense of humour and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Pallbearers are Eldon Obach, Audie Kibsey, Wayne Gacek, Erinn Jonasson, Doug Obach and John Jawolik. The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of the Betel Personal Care Home in Gimli for their care and compassion and for making her last years so comfortable. Lynn, you are a God send. Thank you. Funeral service will be held Thursday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gilbart Funeral Chapel in Gimli with Fr. Peter Chorney officiating. Interment to follow in the St. Mary's Protectress Cemetery in Malonton. Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2006