Helena and her twin sister, Maria, were the youngest of eight children, six of which grew to adulthood. She attended the local school across the road from their farm, although it was difficult to make progress since teachers sometimes changed several times a year. Helena would recall the hardships of those early pioneering years with cold winters and thick layers of frost on the windows. Sitting on a long cold bench behind the table at breakfast she would enjoy putting bread into a cup of hot coffee, with cream poured over top, and eating it with a spoon.

She and her twin sister were inseparable, sharing everything they had. When their parents bought new shoes for them and were unable to find two pairs in the same colour, the twins solved the problem by wearing one of each pair, so they would be dressed the same.

When Helena was six, tragedy struck her parental home. Her father died of a heart attack just a couple of weeks before her parents' 25th anniversary. Four years later her mother was remarried to Gerhard G. Baerg a local teacher from Minnesota.

On June 17, 1917, Helena was baptized upon confession of her faith. She shared that when she was asked to speak a prayer, she recited: "Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit, das ist mein Schmuck und Ehrenkleid, Damit will ich vot Gott besteh'n wenn ich zum Himmel werd eingeh'n." Translated, it would say, "The blood of Christ and his righteousness are my adornment and my dress of honour; with which I want to stand before God when I enter heaven." She carried this statement of faith with her throughout life and incorporated it in her evening prayer shortly before her death.

In 1918 Helena's older married sister, Anganetha, died at the age of 29 leaving behind a widowed Abraham Klassen with six children, ages one week to 9 years. Help was very much needed in this home and Helena took her turn looking after the family.

A year later, just after her 21st birthday, when she was asked to take her sister's place as wife and mother in this home, she consented, knowing, as she said, that this was what she should do. She was very much in touch with the realities of life and did not hesitate to take responsibilities that she felt called on to do.

Another seven children were born to Helena and Abraham. Together they farmed in the Tiefengrund area and, with the exception of an older son, Peter, who died at the age of 14, raised their twelve children to adulthood. The early years were hard, economically — melting snow to have water to do the family washing, tending a large garden, endless mending to keep the children in clothes and mounds of baking were but a few of the responsibilities that were part of family life. They were members in the Tiefengrund Church and Helena took an active part in the Naehverein for many years.

Helena exemplified much courage throughout those years. She would often sing while she worked. She took pride in her fine hand stitching and in her neatly tended flower beds. She would take time to enjoy a sunset or to feel the damp warmth of the grass in the summer sunshine. Many stories she related will remain in our memories. She taught her children values such as fairness, equality, good stewardship, commitment, and many others meanwhile embracing her large family with her love.

Abraham and Helena were privileged to celebrate not only their 25th wedding anniversary in 1944, but also their 50th anniversary in 1969. They retired to a house in Laird in 1958 and when Abraham, our father, became ill in 1971, they lived with their oldest daughter Helen for a year. Another move took them to the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home for a short stay where our father, Helena's husband of 54 years, died on December 30, 1973.

A year later, Helena moved in with Jake and Johanna, her oldest son and daughter-in-law, for awhile. In March, 1976 she once more enjoyed her independence when she moved into an apartment in the newly built Westview pioneer Lodge in Waldheim.

She thrived on the social contacts while her many friends enjoyed her open hospitality and positive outlook. Grandchildren came to visit, introducing her to their girlfriends and boyfriends, and sharing with her of their many activities. Her family marveled at her inquisitive mind, her generous spirit and her great sense of humour. Here she also expressed her creativity in the many afghans and stuffed toys that grace the homes of her extended family and beyond. Income from the sale of her handicrafts became her "missions" money.

On December 30, 1996, she was taken to the Rosthern Hospital due to failing health. In 10 days she recovered sufficiently to move to the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home. However, her aging body was unable to build up enough strength to function well, and she was once more admitted tot he hospital five days later. fully conscious and aware until the end, she died peacefully at 5:15 on January 15 at the age of 98 years, 3 months and 13 days.

The family is grateful for the many rich years of Helena's life. She leaves us with the legacy of a strong faith in God whom we trusted to guide and care for her through almost a century until he saw fit to take her home.

In loving memory,
The family