Helen died peacefully with loving family at her side on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Penticton Regional Hospital in Penticton, British Columbia.
She is survived by her daughters Janet and Colleen; daughter-in-law Brenda; grandchildren Stephen, Allison (Zak), Cory (Cassia), Nigel and Alexa; and great-grandchildren Theo, Elena and Juniper; siblings Ida, Mary (Donald), John (Barbara), Peter (Loraine), Margaret (Duane), Linda (Adrian) and Adeline (David) as well as many more extended family.
She was predeceased by husband Herman, son Ronald, son-in-law Allan, parents Peter & Judith Krahn, brothers Cornelius and John; and brother-in-law Reinald.
Helen Neufeld officially began life as Helen Krahn on July 21st, 1936. She was born that day to Peter and Judith Krahn at their farm near Rosenhof, Saskatchewan, a healthy baby girl with a head full of dark hair, she was a welcome sister for her golden-haired 1-year-old brother Cornelius.
As a teenager Helen entered two of the most important relationships in her life. The first started when she met a cute guy named Herman Neufeld from a neighboring village. She and Herman were married on July 28, 1957, at the Zion Mennonite Church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
They shared almost 58 years together as a married couple. The second important relationship came about when she discovered that there actually is a God and that He was most interested in having an intimately personal relationship with her. She found she had a strong desire for the same thing and developed a deep and abiding friendship with God that lasted throughout her life.
Helen attended Flora School and Rosenhof School. As a teenager and young woman, she worked as a maid, housekeeper, kitchen worker, nurse’s aid, cook, farmer, seamstress and library clerk. Ultimately she chose a career as a nurse’s aid, which perfectly aligned with her care giving nature. She was in her 30s when she was hired as a nurse’s aid at the Red River Valley Lodge in Morris, Manitoba. Upon returning to Saskatchewan, she worked at the Palliser Hospital in Swift Current and Circle Drive Special Care Home in Saskatoon. As a result of her concern for patients and her efficient work practices, she was frequently called on throughout her career to train new hires. She happily retired in 1997.
Helen was an amazing cook and baker and an immaculate housekeeper. She enjoyed gardening, working with tools, interior design, clothing, crocheting and needle work of all kinds. At various times she held leadership positions in her church, and as such, was responsible for some of the most epic Vacation Bible School and Sunday School Christmas programs—ever. In her later years when she was no longer able to do the things she’d always enjoyed, she pieced together many puzzles and spent a lot of time reading.
Those of us who knew and loved her are so grateful that she was part of our lives. We are enriched for having known her.
Burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery, Penticton, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1370 Church Street, Penticton, at 11:00 a.m.
Condolences and tributes may be left for the family by visiting http://www.everdenrust.com