Helen EKHOLM

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EKHOLM: Helen (Baudais) Ekholm passed away peacefully at Hillcrest Place with her daughters at her side on Thursday, May 5, 2011. Helen was born in Prince Albert, SK on April 12, 1927. She grew up on the family farm in Domremy, the third youngest of nine siblings born to Pierre and Josephine (Roslinsky) Baudais. Helen was an industrious and motivated young woman who left home at the age of 17 to work in Cudworth, SK and later moved to Saskatoon to work as a chambermaid at the Bessborough Hotel. She met her first husband, John Carniato during the war years and at age 19 married in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), ON. One year later she gave birth to her only child Marnie Carniato Hemmings. After a brief marriage she met Carl Ekholm and they married in 1969. In 1960 Helen became a Licensed Practical Nurse and nursed at the Port Arthur General Hospital for ten years. Mom was a kind and compassionate soul who always treated her patients with dignity and respect. The remainder of her career was spent working in a doctor’s office. Helen moved to Brandon in 1993 to be closer to her daughter Marnie, son- in-law Jerry and her grandchildren Jordan and Ashley Hemmings. In her spare time Helen enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and doing crossword puzzles. She knitted many sweaters and baby blankets and crocheted many afghans for family and friends. Helen is survived by her husband Carl, daughter Marnie (Jerry) Hemmings, step-daughter Elaine Ekholm, Vancouver, treasured grandchildren Jordan and Ashley Hemmings, Teri Desrosiers, Laurel Villa and Karianne Ekholm, sisters Mary Nelson, Saskatoon, Judy Ball, Lewiston, Idaho, Fran Myers (Bill) Thornton, Colorado and brothers Joe, Wakaw, SK, Albert and Edward, Edmonton and many nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her parents Pierre and Josephine Baudais, sister Pauline, brother John and step-daughter Diane Ekholm.MARNIE HEMMINGS invites all her friends to join her in the celebration of her mother’s life at Grand Valley Community Church on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. If so desired, donations may be made to Grand Valley Community Church, 1620 Braecrest Drive, Brandon, MB, R7A 0B3 or the Brandon Humane Society.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 28, 2011