HELEN GIESBRECHT

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HELEN GIESBRECHT On Wednesday, August 4, 2010 Helen (Mom) Giesbrecht, at the age of 94, passed away at Donwood Manor. Mom is survived by daughters Doreen Stein of Ignace, ON and Evelyn Ortmann (Elmer) of Warroad, MN, and sons Dennis (Judy), Wes (Val), and Jim (Lynn) all from the Winnipeg area. Also surviving her are 13 grandchildren, Roxanne, Connie, Marcia, Kim, Candace, Camille, Mollie, Katie, Daisy, Jill, Adam, Parker, and Spencer plus 21 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Mom came from a large family of seven brothers and three sisters and she is still survived by one sister Clara Siemens and five brothers, Ed, Detray, George, Ervin, and Norman Groening. Mom was predeceased by her husband, Henry, our Dad, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, one grandson, one great-grandson, two brothers and two sisters. Mom was born on July 25, 1916 to Henry and Maria Groening near Lowe Farm. She met her future husband Henry, our Dad, in the same area and they were married on October 5, 1939. Mom and Dad farmed for a period of time but Dad was drawn into the ministry and together they served churches in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Minnesota. In 1962 the family moved to Winnipeg where Dad worked in the Winnipeg General Hospital and together with Mom ran a successful boarding house. They continued to keep very active in a variety of church activities until well into their retirement. After Dad passed away during the blizzard of 1997, Mom moved into Lion's Place where she lived until 2005 when she moved into Donwood Manor. The last five years have been difficult for her and we appreciate the special care and attention she received from the staff and volunteers at Donwood. We would also like to acknowledge Heather Stewart for her faithfulness in visiting with Mom on a regular basis the last few years. This was much appreciated by both the family and also by Mom. Funeral service will be held at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Viewing will be prior to the service. Burial will be at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens following the funeral and reception. If friends desire, donations in her memory may be made to Donwood Manor Personal Care Home, 171 Donwood Drive, Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 05, 2010