HELEN MARY BECK (PATZER)

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HELEN MARY BECK (nee PATZER) Helen Mary Beck died peacefully with family by her side, on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at age 80. Helen was born March 8, 1928 to Theodore and Rosalie Patzer in Thalberg, Manitoba. She grew up and went to school in Thalberg, worked in Beausejour area for several years, helped on the family farm and taught Sunday School. She met Ernest Beck in 1948, they were married in 1950 and lived on the farm in East Selkirk, where they raised their family. Helen was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was generous, compassionate, and focused on others rather than herself; a woman of very strong faith; warm and hospitable, always welcoming family, friends and neighbors into their home. Helen loved to garden and enjoyed berry picking. She was a foster mother to several children. She worked at Selkirk General Hospital for a few years and was active in many ways in her church and community. She served as a counselor in the Stephen Ministry program and helped organize and serve funeral lunches at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. When her health declined, one of her regrets was that she was no longer able to volunteer in the local soup kitchen. Helen is survived by her beloved husband Ernest; children Alfred (Lindy), Marlene Klassen (Barry), Lorraine (Craig McIntosh); grandchildren Tanya (Dave Streich), James (Susan), Dane, Ashley, Kaitlyn and Thomas; great-grandchildren Miranda, Logan, Andrew, Sean and Georgia; brother Daniel, sisters-in-law Hulda Patzer, Elsie Patzer and Liz Patzer. Helen was predeceased by son Wilfred in 1972; and by siblings and their spouses Edith and Paul Trapp, Leonard, Holdina (in infancy), Lena and Paul Kurbis, Herta Patzer, Albert, Elizza and Kurtis Loeb, Anne and William Bauschke, Herman and Harold. Helen was very appreciative of the wonderful care from Dr. Fuchs and staff at Selkirk General Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m. in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 6088 PTH 9 (Just south of the rolling mill) with viewing one hour prior to the service with Pastor Stan Richards officiating. Burial will follow in the Selkirk Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers are Helen's nephews Ed Patzer, Ken Patzer, Larry Patzer, Lawrence Loeb, Gary Bauschke and Greg Beck. In lieu of flowers donations in Helen's memory may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Selkirk, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or Our Daily Bread Selkirk Soup Kitchen, Selkirk. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2008