HELENE JANZEN (DUECK)

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HELENE JANZEN (nee DUECK) Died peacefully on February 12, 2001 at the Bethania Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. She was born in 1905 and grew up in the Mennonite village of Altonau, Ukraine. After happy childhood and early teenage years, she and her family experienced many hardships brought on by the Communist revolution, the Stalin era, and the Second World War. Her father was murdered by Machno bandits; her family was expropriated; and her husband Wladimir Janzen, was taken to a concentration camp. During the years 1943-45, she and her only son, Waldemar, were refugees in Poland and Germany, from where they immigrated to Canada in 1948. She lived in Waterloo, ON for nine years, working first in a glove factory, and then in the laboratory of the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital. After moving to Winnipeg in 1957, she became a laboratory technologist at the Health Sciences Centre, where she worked until her retirement in 1970. Helene was an active member in the First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. She loved nature and gardening, but was also an avid reader. Much of her time and love were devoted to her three grandchildren. Since the summer of 1997 she was a resident in Bethania, where she died peacefully after a brief illness. We, the family, wish to express our deep gratitude to the Bethania staff for the loving care our mother and grandmother received there during her last years. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Wladimir, one sister and four brothers. She leaves to mourn her son Dr. Waldemar Janzen with wife Mary, of Winnipeg; her grandchildren, Martin Janzen of Singapore, Hildie Janzen of Winnipeg, and Edwin Janzen of Winnipeg, relatives (mostly in Europe), and friends. The funeral service will be held at the First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, on Thursday, February 15 at 1:00 p.m. Interment in Brookside Cemetery. Viewing at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, 1045 Concordia Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S7. Arrangements entrusted to Klassen Funeral Chapel, 338-0331.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 14, 2001