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HELGA BERGER
Born: Jan 26, 1928
Date of Passing: Nov 21, 2020
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
HELGA BERGER
January 26, 1928 - November 21, 2020
Helga was born in the spa town of Karlsbad (now called Karlovy Vary) in Czechoslovakia. She was an only child, and grew up speaking German. In her youth, Helga enjoyed skiing and spending time in the mountains with her parents.
After the war, Helga moved to Bamberg, Germany, where she met her future husband (Jack) in art school. They immigrated to Canada in 1949, and were sponsored to live in Steinbach, Manitoba. Jack Jr was born in 1951, and Michael was born in 1952. They lived in Steinbach for 10 years, and then moved to Winnipeg and started a new graphic arts business. That business grew substantially over the next 20 years, and they eventually had their own five story building downtown and 60 employees.
Helga earned an Honours English degree at the University of Manitoba in the 70s, and then went on to get another degree in Social Work. She worked for a while for the Children's Aid Society, and then became the director of the Friends of Schizophrenia, and spear headed the construction of the Friends Housing Cooperative (which included a four story apartment block and a detached condo complex for families.) Always looking for new ways to help people, Helga also became a Master Hypnotherapist and a Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) instructor.
Helga moved to Kelowna 30 years ago. Son Michael and daughter-in-law Anne lived close by. Her son Jack still lives in Winnipeg.
The staff at Mountainview Village were great: professional, gentle, kind and caring. During long COVID absences, we were always confident Mom was receiving the best of all possible care.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mountainview Village in Kelowna or Friends Housing Inc. in Winnipeg.
92 years, survived the Nazis, got two university degrees, built Friends Housing, was a good Mom and a good person. She done good!
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2020
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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My sincere condolences on your loss. I pray that memories of happier times will see you through your time of grief! "God gave us memory so we might enjoy roses in winter. " I am a respected researcher of (mostly Mennonite) genealogy, and would like to connect your loved one to her/your family and ancestry, which I am unable to do given the information in her obituary. I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to reconstruct this family and connect it to my project. Jack's nephew John Schmitz was my next door neighbour growing up in Steinbach, and I believe he and my brother (and Richard Hildebrand) worked together at Derksen Printers between 1959-1966? Please contact me at an appropriate time if you are willing to share/exchange details. Thank you. All information about living individuals is suppressed to protect your/their privacy. - Posted by: Bob Strong (Unkown) on: Jan 18, 2021
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Deepest condolences to Helga’s family from Neil & Marie Mackie. I had the pleasure of getting to know Mrs Berger from the years I worked at Berger’s and always respected the passion she had for any cause she got involved with. A fine lady. - Posted by: Neil Mackie (Former employee at Jack Berger Lts) on: Nov 28, 2020
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We are so sorry for the loss of Helga. She was one of my Moms, Wilma Joss's dearest friends. Mom passed away in January 4th, 2019. I know she missed Helga very much. Helga was a lovely person. Our family is thinking of you at this time. - Posted by: Diane McClain (Friend) on: Nov 28, 2020