HELEN NICKEL (DERKSEN)

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HELEN NICKEL (nee DERKSEN) It is with sorrow but great love and wonderful memories that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, Nana and great-Nana, Helen Nickel, at Altona Memorial Hospital on April 6, 2007. Mom will be sadly missed by her children, Amaryllis (Ervine), Heather (Remo), John (Lillian), Naomi (Harold), Gloria (Peter), Danny (Chris), Gladwyn and James (Lorraine). She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Tracy (John), Rob (Carla), Jason (Lenore), Yolanda, Arvelle (Rob), Mark, Garrick, Tonia, Kelly, Jayden and Taylor; also by her great-grandchildren, Lane, Adam, Benjamin and David. She is survived by two brothers, Elmer (Millie) and Robert (Annette). She was predeceased by her husband Edwin (1984); her parents Barbara and David; her sister Ruby (in infancy), her beloved sister Bonnie (1999); her brothers, Norman and Art; as well as one grandchild, Ian (2001). Mom was born on June 5, 1925, in the Village of Altona and grew up in Rosenfeld. She loved to recall girlhood memories of this small farming community where she excelled at school and spent many happy hours with her friends. Mom later went on to Normal School (Teachers' College) and Success Business College; she was well educated for her time and well read. After living some time in British Columbia, she returned home to Rosenfeld where she married Edwin Nickel; they moved to Horndean where Edwin continued farming and where they raised their family of eight children. All of us remember her great culinary talents; her fresh buns, soups and pies were legendary. Although she was so busy being a farm wife, Mom remained keenly interested in world affairs and had strong opinions on politics. She also loved poetry, in particularly the works of William Shakespeare and Alfred Lord Tennyson. She instilled in all of us a love of nature, prairie sunsets, cold winter morning mirages, and what is so rare as a day in June, if ever come perfect days. Mom loved the prairies, a good game of cribbage and hanging out with the family at the kitchen table in Horndean. She regaled us with stories of the day the Second World War ended, ticker tape and dancing with servicemen. Mom was truly one-of-a-kind and her absence will be a great void in all of our lives. Mom, you will be so missed. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die. A private family service has taken place. Special thanks to Dr. Bueddefeld and all the nurses at Altona Memorial Hospital for their excellent care of our mother and to Terry Wiebe of Wiebe Funeral Home, Altona. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mom's friend, Sarah Giesbrecht, for the kindness and caring she has shown Mom over the years. Donations in Mom's memory may be made to Altona and District Palliative Care, Box 660, Altona, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 10, 2007