LENA KEHLER (DYCK)

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LENA KEHLER (nee DYCK) July 29, 1931 - December 30, 2010 Mom was born July 29, 1931 to Jacob and Margaretha Dyck and grew up just outside of Altona. At the age of 12 Mom was sent to Winkler to live with a family as their housekeeper/nanny. She has often mentioned remembering how lonely she was as she saw her parents drive away. As the second oldest child, she had a big part in helping her mom with the other children. Mom was baptized on May 29, 1950 at Altona Sommerfeld Church upon the confession of her faith. During their courtship days, dad would walk five miles to Horndean and take a train to Altona where mom would pick him up with a horse and cutter - all for one day's visit. Mom married Jacob Kehler in Altona on July 9, 1950. Her mom was unable to attend the wedding as she had just given birth to baby brother Ben. Mom and dad moved to Melba near Horndean where they lived on the farm until they retired and moved to Altona. Though there were many hard times, there always seemed to be enough to set a full table for whoever walked in the door. This was thanks in a large way to the gigantic garden which supplied fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Helen's hobbies and interests included baking, crocheting, knitting, camping, fishing, and travelling. Mom loved watching baseball and attended many of her grandsons' baseball games. The look on her face as she watched a Goldeyes game was priceless. She had weekly quilting bees with some of her close friends. She spent many hours with her grandchildren playing Skippo and Uno and Phase 10. She volunteered for years in her church kitchen serving at many funerals and weddings. Much of her free time was spent volunteering at MCC making quilts for raffles and other fundraisers. She was also very involved in the Horndean Community Centre for many years. Peacefully, Helen (Lena) Kehler passed away December 30, 2010 at Eastview Place at the age of 79 years. Mourning her passing are two sons, John and his wife Cheryl and daughter Jaimie; Dave and his wife Lynn with their sons Tim and wife Corrie and Michael; two daughters, Chris and Dan Nickel and their daughters Tonia and Kelly; and Susan Peters; as well as three great-grandsons, Carson, Lincoln and Orion, sons of Tim and Corrie. Four brothers John, Jake, Pete, and Ben, and two sisters, Maria Groening and Susan Dueck also survive her. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Jake; brother, Diedrich; sister Margaretha; and son-in-law Tim Peters. The family wishes to thank Dr. Buddefeld and the staff at Eastview (Rosewood) for the excellent care mom received. They treated her as part of their family and their acts of love did not go unnoticed. A special thank you to her sister Susan for all the time she spent with mom. The funeral service was held Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Altona EMM Church with interment at the Altona Cemetery. In Helen's memory, donations may be made to Eastview Place Courtyard Fundraiser. Arrangements entrusted to: WIEBE FUNERAL HOME (ALTONA) LTD. 204-324-5404

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2011