HELENE THIER (GRENKE)

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HELENE THIER (nee GRENKE) March 7, 1935 July 6, 2008 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Helene Thier. Survived by her children, Nora (Herb) Kolmel, Linda (Tim) Robbins, Jona Thier (Roger), Henry Thier (Debbie), Carrie Leclair, Anneliese (Terry) Landgraff; daughter-in-law Nicole Thier; grandchildren, Wade (Melissa) Kolmel, Ryan (Leslie) Kolmel, Clinton Robbins (Jacquie), Brandy (Mike) Modin, Jonathan Swain, Tanya Swain (Sam), Connor Thier, Danielle Thier, Troy Leclair and proudly soon to be tenth grandchild; great-grandchildren, Ethan Kolmel, Jordin Kolmel, Axel Kolmel, Aydin Modin, Wyatt Modin, Charlotte Needham-Robbins, Sidney Kolmel and three more in the fall; sisters, Elfriede (Waldemar) Schmidt, Sigrid (Adolf) Schmidt, Elsie (Ben) Giesbrecht, and brother Reinhard Grenke, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Helene was predeceased by her husband Joachim Thier in June 1967 and partner Hans Burdack in December 1979. Her parents Heinrich and Erna Grenke, and brothers Arthur and Ernst Grenke. Born in Antoniew, Poland in 1935, Helen arrived in Canada in March 1949. She later settled in Red Lake, ON in 1955 and later Stratton, ON from 1960 to 1962, 1967 to 1969. She returned to Red Lake to raise her family before moving back to Winnipeg in 1973. While living in Winnipeg she worked for various sewing manufacturers including 10 years at Modern Headwear where she retired from in 1995. Helene always loved gardening, fishing and handicrafts but her greatest joy was visiting with family and friends and watching her grandchildren grow. Helene was a skilled and talented seamstress and crafter, delighting those close to her with handmade gifts and mending. Oma will always be fondly remembered by her grandchildren for her famous chocolate cake, homemade doughnuts, and who could forget those cabbage rolls Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Klassen Funeral Home in Winnipeg. Following the service, in respect to her wishes, Helene will be laid to rest along side her late husband Joachim in Stratton, ON, near the farm they once shared. We love you Mom Oma . May you rest in peace. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 200-310 Broadway, Winnipeg, R3C 0S6, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, #200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, R3L 0K6, or a charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 Send expressions of sympathy at www.mem.com.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 10, 2008