HELENE KAMPEN

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HELENE KAMPEN Helene Kampen (nee Sudermann) died peacefully on Sunday, November 24, 2013, at , surrounded by her family. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Hilda Heinrichs, Heinz and Helene Kampen, Renate and Wolf Hein, Walter and Dorothea Kampen, and Arthur and Nadine Kampen, daughter-in-law, Edith Kampen, close nephew, John and Anna Kampen, sister Kaete Sudermann, and her many grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Kornelius and Katharina Sudermann, her husband, Martin Kampen, in May,1988, her son-in-law, Viktor Heinrichs, in October, 2002, her sister, Mary Sudermann, in July, 2012, and son Nikolaus Kampen, in May, 2013. Helene was born to Kornelius and Katharina (nee Schulz) Sudermann on September 15, 1923, in Blumenort, Molotschna, Ukraine. She was the eldest of three daughters. It was a time of great turmoil and hardship. Helene's father was arrested on January 17, 1937, and never heard from again. Her mother worked hard to provide for her family by using her skills as a seamstress, sewing for other people. Helene went to work in Zaporozhye. When the war broke out, her mother and sisters followed the retreating German army, and she was left behind. However, she was able to rejoin them about six months later in Germany. From there, they all left for Paraguay on the "Volendam". The pioneer years in this harsh land were difficult for this family of women. On May 27, 1947, she was baptized upon her faith, along with her two sisters and many others. It was here they were finally able to freely practice their faith. On February 11, 1950, she married a widower, Martin Kampen. Martin had three children, with whom he had only recently been reunited. Also living with them was Martin's mother, niece, and nephew. It was a large family, to which two more children were added in the next few years. In 1955, the family immigrated to Canada. Although the first year in this new country had its challenges, they were very grateful to be here. In 1956 they purchased their first home on Banning Street, and soon after that, the youngest son was born. Helene was kept busy caring for her family. Like her mother, she was an accomplished seamstress and was able to sew many of the family's clothes to help keep costs down. They attended First Mennonite Church and were active members there. Eventually, in 1965, the family moved to Hawthorne Avenue, and joined the newly established Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, where Helene enjoyed being part of the Missionsverein (Women's Missions Group), sewing many blankets for M.C.C., as well as serving at funerals and weddings. She also volunteered regularly for many years at the M.C.C. Thrift Shop, and served on the Westgate Women's Auxiliary while her children attended there. Through the years, the children got married, and the house became emptier. Yet everyone was always welcome to come "home", and with the addition of the many grandchildren, the house was sometimes bursting at the seams when they arrived. Helene, a great homemaker and cook, always prepared all the meals, usually everyone's very favourite foods, because to her, family was a most important priority. After her husband passed away in 1988, she stayed in her house for seven years before moving into an apartment in Kingsford House. She appreciated every part of her life there until she suffered a stroke in April of 2010. It was difficult for her to realize she would no longer be able to take care of herself. After transitioning from Riverview and Misericordia she entered Bethania on Christmas Eve of 2010, and it became her final home. She appreciated all the wonderful care she was given by all the staff, and always had smiles for everyone who came into her room. On November 18, she was diagnosed with pneumonia, and her body could not fight this infection. She died peacefully on the evening of November 24, 2013, with her family by her side. Her strong faith in God was always a source of strength for her throughout her life, and we know she is in a better place, but we will miss her greatly. Funeral Service for Helene Kampen will be held on Thursday, November 28, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, 570 Sharon Bay, Winnipeg with viewing prior to the service. Interment in Green Acres Cemetery. The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the staff at Bethania for their compassionate care of our mother. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home - Spiritual Care Program.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 27, 2013