Helen Banman

Helena “Helen” Banman (nee Friesen), age 93, of Swift Current SK and formerly of Blumenhof SK, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Palliser Regional Care Centre in Swift Current SK.

Helen was born on April 13, 1923 at Swift Current, SK, to Johan & Helena Friesen. Helen married George Banman on July 18, 1948 and this union was blessed with four children. As a farm wife of 40 years and a city person her remaining years, she would often start her day with walking many kilometers before coming home to baking bread and cookies or to decorate a wedding cake. She spent many hours of the day raising her children, and enjoying the toils of her garden. She gathered information from around the world for her genealogy passion and collected nearly 5000 sets of salt and pepper shakers – of which she knew by heart the origins and the givers of each set. In her later years, she spent countless hours donating her efforts at the Mennonite Village in Swift Current, sharing a wealth of cultural knowledge with people from around the world. The remaining hours of the day were spent cultivating flowers or crocheting while watching a Blue Jays baseball game. Then a little reading from her Bible until midnight and then off to bed. Rest in Peace. Helen is survived by her daughter; her three sons; her three granddaughters; her five grandsons; her two great-granddaughters; her eight great-grandsons; two sisters; and by one brother. She was predeceased by her husband; one sister; three brothers; and by one grandson. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 1:30 pm from the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church in Schoenfeld, SK with Reverend Abe Wiebe Officiating. The Interment Service was at the Sommerfeld Mennonite Cemetery in Schoenfeld, SK with Helen’s grandsons and nephews serving as pallbearers.

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