Helena Rempel

Helena Rempel, age 98, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2017 at The Meadows, Swift Current, SK with family at her side. Helena Rempel was born in Hamburg, SK July 16, 1919, in the home of parents Johan & Elisabeth Funk. Helena was the youngest in a family of eleven and had many delightful memories of her childhood, especially with her sister, Mary. Helena attended German School in Hamburg and went to Herbert Bible School for one semester. Helena married her childhood sweetheart, John Rempel, on June 30, 1940. John & Helena started farming three miles southeast of Rhineland, on what Dad called the Hudson Bay land. In 1951, they moved to the village of Rhineland so it would be easier for the children to attend school there. In 1973, they built a new home on their Hudson Bay farm site where they continued to live until the spring of 1984. John & Helena semi-retired to Rhineland for a few years and then retired in Swift Current. Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling in their retirement years. The highlight was a trip to Bolivia to visit Mom’s older sister, Margaretha. They also made frequent trips to visit their children all the way from Wawota, SK to Vancouver, BC. Mom was a talented homemaker and enjoyed cooking and baking. She often said working in a bakery would be the best job. There was always enough food for one more and all were welcome in her home. Her family was large but every new member was welcomed and felt loved and accepted. Mom loved the farm and always had a keen interest in her children’s farms. Some of her hobbies were reading, sewing, crocheting afghans and making quilts. Mom’s faith in Christ was strong and was evident in how she lived. She fully received God’s love and forgiveness, and freely gave forgiveness, and was gracious to others. Mom’s life changed when she was predeceased by her husband, John, on December 23, 1999. In May of 2000, Mom had her hip removed and required a wheelchair to get around. However, in her typical positive way, she accepted her limitations and was grateful not to lose her sight, hearing, or memory — which was still relatively clear to the end. In July 2000, Helena moved to The Bentley. She resided there until December 2014. Once again, Helena showed her strong faith, strength of character, and young spirit. Helena made many friends there. She enjoyed reading and puzzling and loved visits from her family. Helena moved to the Cypress House in December 2014, and resided there until June 2017, at which time she moved to The Meadows. Helena resided there until she went to her eternal home to meet her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Helena leaves to cherish her memory her children, Hilda Beisel, Marge Wiens, Victor (Laura) Rempel, Walter (Gladys) Rempel, Reuben (Beth) Rempel, Neil (Faye) Rempel, Minnie Rempel, Leonard (Cheri) Rempel, Lorraine (Garth) Taylor, Ken (Carol) Rempel, Elsie (Jerry) Rempel-Holderbein, Arnold (Freda) Rempel, and Robert (Janine) Rempel; her grandchildren, Sheldon Lagler, Parry (Tami) Lagler, Dwight (Lynn) Beisel, Doug Beisel, Kevin (Tricia) Wiens, Cheryl Turgeon, Yvonne (Robert) Rempel, Kelly Rempel, Nyree Rempel, Kaitlin Rempel, Garth (Lakiba) Rempel, Darren (Steph) Rempel, Janice (Gerald) Ouellet, Jana (Mike) Lewis, Steven (Juliana) Rempel, Tim (Toni) Rempel, Rhett (Liz) Rempel, Jeffrey (Abeline) Rempel, Janessa (Michael) Ljunggren, Julianne Rempel, Jeff (Tara) Taylor, Ben (Christa) Taylor, Keri Taylor, Jeremy Rempel, Andra Rempel, Shawn Rempel, Jordan (Megan) Rempel, Jenelle (Scott) Holderbein-Matthies, Jason (Melissa) Holderbein, Kimberly (Joan) Rempel, Josh (Stephanie) Rempel, Jesse (Toni) Rempel, Joel Rempel, Britney Rempel, and McKinley Rempel; her great-grandchildren, Zachary L., Zachary C., MacKenzie, Rebecca, Natasha, Kristen, Alyson, Jonah, Michael, Trevor (Mary), Alex, Jason, Amanda (Jason), Chris (Andrea), Philip (Breanna), Karl (Jeremy), Emma, Kate, Amy, Lily, Jasmine (Chris), Jacob, Jenna, Thea, Loic, Alexandre, Anik, Daniel, Evan, Avery, Fiona, Marianne, Eve, James, Josiah, Jared, Aliyah, Adelyn, Erica, Annika, Brenden, Alayna, Tayler, Riley, Logan, Kaleb, Karsten, Madison, Emrie T., Libby, Molly, Georgia, Judah, Elijah, Reese, Shea, Boston, Sawyer, Gus, Kamryn, and Emrie R.; her great-great-grandchildren, Brody, Isaiah, Tyler, Shania, Mariah, Skyla, and Blake; her brother-in-law, Frank Rempel; and by her sister-in-law, Margaret (Bill) Hildebrandt. Helena was predeceased by her husband, John (December 23, 1999); her daughter, Betty (November 1, 2016); her daughter-in-law, Marion (Sauder) Rempel and her granddaughter, Karen Rempel (October 27, 1979); her father, Johann Funk (1959); her mother, Elisabeth Funk (1949); and by all of her ten older siblings, Elisabeth, Kornelius, Margaretha, Johan, Heinrich, Anne, Abraham, Katharina, Isaak, and Maria; and by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Bernard Rempel, David Rempel, Lena Rempel, Mary Rempel-Funk, Elisabeth Rempel-Funk, Peter Rempel, George Rempel, Katie Rempel, and Anna Rempel-Bartsch.

The Funeral Service for Helena Rempel was held on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 2:00 pm from Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK with her grandson, Jason Holderbein, presiding. “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” were sung by the congregation under the leadership of Melissa Holderbein. Special music was brought by Jeremy Rempel, Margaret Leiding, and Murray & Helena Leiding. The Eulogy was given by Len Rempel, with Ken Rempel sharing Helena’s Journey of Faith. Britney and McKinley Rempel read Scripture. Tributes were given by Reuben Rempel, Jana (Rempel) Lewis, Elsie (Rempel) Holderbein, and Bob Rempel, followed by a family video tribute. The ushers in the church were Helena’s Grandchildren. The Private Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with Jason Holderbein presiding. Vic Rempel, Len Rempel, Walter Rempel, Ken Rempel, Rueben Rempel, Arnold Rempel, Neil Rempel, and Robert Rempel served as Pallbearers.

 Service Information