Helen Petersen (Nee Heinrichs)

Peacefully, with family by her side, Helen Petersen of Lac du Bonnet, MB passed away at the age of 91 years on Thursday August 10^th at the Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home.

She is survived by her daughters, Louise (Vern) Laing of Oakbank, MB, Barb (Don) Cooper of Pinawa, MB, Sylvia Connolly (Barry Burton) of Brandon, MB and by her son Stuart (Julie Germain) of Pinawa, MB.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Scott (Ann-Marie) and Kim Laing (Josh), Tanis (Blair) Tanasychuk, and Jessica Connolly, by her great-grandchildren Gracie Tanasychuk and Dylan Laing, by her sister-in-law’s Marlene Petersen and Gillian Heinrichs and by numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years Sandford Petersen in 1997, her brother Peter in 2001, her parents Johann and Katharina Heinrichs in 1942 and 1972 respectively, by her sister-in-law Connie Boyer in 2022, and by her brother-in-law’s Sheldon and Sidney Petersen in 1988 and 2001 respectively.

Mom was born on April 1, 1932 in Herbert, SK and it was here where she met Sandford as he was working road building and construction jobs in the area.  They were married on June 8, 1952 and settled in the Brookfield area of the RM of Lac du Bonnet, starting the family farm which provided for the family for many years.  She was not afraid of hard work, helping to raise four children and keeping care of the cows, chickens, honey bees, keeping care of a huge garden and yard while doing most of the chores while Dad worked and farmed.  Mom was an excellent home maker, cook and caregiver – she taught the girls the art of gardening (she grew enough vegetables for the entire neighborhood!), pickling and preserving, and how to make a bed “the right way” – her love of flowers was one of her greatest joys!!  She also had a knack for sewing, cross-stitch, quilting and loved doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku in her spare time until her eyesight forced her to give these up. Mom didn’t show much fear either – it was nothing for her to chase a bear out of the house one day when he unexpectedly came in through the screen door!!

When Dad passed, Mom eventually sold the farm and moved into Park Manor in Lac du Bonnet where she made numerous friends, and allowed her to help local organizations with volunteer work.  Mom loved going to the Lac du Bonnet Pioneer Club for many years, both as a volunteer and as a member – she really enjoyed going there to meet her friends and for soup and sandwiches!!  She was also a member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross and the ELW, where she found her faith in God and where she spent numerous hours volunteering to help others when they needed it most. Mom also volunteered for the local Food Bank, at the Personal Care Home, Bonny Vista, Mrs. Lucci’s and other local organizations – it gave her great joy and satisfaction to give back to her community.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Ironwood Assisted Living, the staff at the Pinawa Hospital and the staff at the Lac du Bonnet PCH for their support and compassion over the last 18 months, as well as Dr. Bruneau who gave Mom the best care possible until she passed.  Mom was the greatest mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother that a family could ask for, and will be missed by everyone that knew her. 

A memorial service will be held at the Lac du Bonnet Legion Hall on Saturday August 19^th at 1pm, with Pastor Don Reimer officiating.  Interment will take place at the Lac du Bonnet Cemetery, with a lunch to follow at the Legion Hall.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Cross in her memory.

Mom’s wise advice for when the girls had a boo-boo:

“Quit worrying, it’ll be better before you’re a Grandma”.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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