Helen Heide (nee Stoesz)
Obituary
Helen Heide, daughter of Heinrich Stoesz and Anna Giesbrecht, eldest of 9 siblings, grew up in Horndean, attended school, met and married dad, Peter Heide, and began her own family: Evelyn, Carolyn, Tim, and Irvin.
By age 11, Mom was helping care for 5 younger siblings. Mom loved visits with her many cousins, loved school, had teachers that brought a rounded education: sewing, knitting, garden club, baseball, music, Bible, besides the academic. At 14, Mom memorized 500 verses to attend Gimili Bible Camp, where she learned about a God who loved her, came to know Jesus, and made new friends. At home Mom, and several other youth started a Sunday School in their school, the community without a church until 1951.
Mid grade 10, Mom accepted her parents’ request to help with the family income, began working at the Horndean Store. This is where she met Dad; they visited in the basement while she graded eggs.
Our parents married Dec. 21, 1947, lived on Dad’s family farm for two years, then moved to Horndean. Mom loved her garden, caring for its produce, laundry, sewing, and teaching her children. Church was a central part of life, Sunday School, singing: many a Sunday afternoon music practice in mom’s parents’ home. Caring for those with needs, and cherishing friends…
1967, our parents moved the family to Steinbach, participated in the Steinbach MB church and their neighbourhood. With children away from home, they made many trips west, precious times with children and grandchildren.
Mom focused much on giving of herself for others…supporting Dad in his busy life, young mom’s and Pioneer girls at church, guiding school tours at the museum, volunteering at 10,000 Villages, sharing tea and garden produce with neighbours. Oratorio, church, and community choirs, Mom loved to sing. She prayed daily for missionaries, young people in the church, grandchildren, wrote so many letters to encourage over the years. A faithful friend and woman of compassion, Mom never forgot her humble beginnings.
Dec. 2001, a massive stroke brought drastic change and many losses. A severely compromised body forced Mom to find new ways to communicate and cope. In the face of all, she chose life.
Mom leaves to mourn, two daughters Evelyn and Carolyn (Win Wachsmann), grandchildren: Hart & Minde; son Tim, granddaughters Jenna & Julie (Sean Horner & two boys); son Irv (Tobi), grandchildren Amanda & Corbin. Also left behind, six sisters and two brothers.
She was predeceased by our father in 2005; a sister 2002, and two brother-in-laws.
We are grateful for so many prayers on our behalf, and those who cared for our mom and have grown with us at Rest Haven. For our mother now, “We can only imagine!” We release her to the One who cares for her in a way we never could. She was so dear to us.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church, 340 Second St, Steinbach MB, with a viewing half an hour prior to the service.
Cremation will take place following the service and an ash interment will take place at a later date in the Grossweide (Mennonite Brethren) Cemetery, near Horndean, MB.
If friends desire, donations in memory of Helen may be made to African Inland Mission International, (in memo line: Bethany Kids Kijabe Hospital), 1641 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough, ON, M1R 1P8.
