Helen K. Reddekop (nee Martens)
Obituary
Helen K. Reddekop (nee Martens) age 87, of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away peacefully with family at her side on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Bethesda Place Personal Care Home.
She is survived by her husband Gerald and their daughters, Donna House, Danita (Jonathan) Quiring, Tanya (Tyson) Neufeld and their son Grayson (Agatha) Reddekop, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered by her sisters Mary Braun, Anne Kruse & Susie (Lawrence) Dueck, and her brothers Cornelius (Faith) Martens, Leonard (Evelyn) Martens and foster brother Jon (Heather) Saxon.
She was predeceased by a brother Henry in infancy, her brothers & their spouses John (Leona) Martens, Abe (Norma) Martens, Pete (Olga) Martens, Jake (Helen) Martens, her two brother-in-laws Frank Braun & Walter Kruse and her sister Sarah Martens.
Helen was born in 1937 and grew up in Landmark, Manitoba, to Peter F. & Helena Martens. She loved their farmyard with large orchard, gardens and flowers. The cousins living nearby meant plenty of play fellows. At 12 years of age, she accepted Jesus into her heart, prompted by her sister Mary’s newly found salvation, and she later chose to be baptized.
In her early adulthood she attended and graduated from Steinbach Bible College. Those same years her parents, being conscientious objectors, ran bush camps. It was a lot of strenuous work, but they made up for it with lots of fun as well. Though Helen knew who Gerald was then, it wasn’t until the Martens family and the Reddekop family were back at the home farm in Kola, Manitoba that Gerald asked her out on a date for her birthday on June 10th. Two months later on August 26th, 1961, they were married.
To start out they farmed in Kola where they welcomed their first-born Donna. Later moving to help with Sunday School and services on the reservations at Sioux Valley near Griswold, Manitoba. In 1967 they moved into a small home in Wawota, Saskatchewan, where Gerald worked as a carpenter and Helen kept their home. Gerald built the family a home where Helen’s days were busy with gardening, canning, baking & hosting many around their table. Their family grew to welcome daughter Danita, son Grayson and the youngest daughter Tanya. Helen quilted with a ladies group from church, many times large quilts took up the entire living room and the ladies gathered around it while the children played underneath. They supplied many blankets for bible camp and other mission efforts. The neighbors always knew they were welcome at any time to pop over for a coffee with Mom. She had a easy going manner and a welcoming home that many enjoyed, her baking was second to none!
In 1991 Gerald and Helen took a step of faith and sold their home in Wawota to join the NCEM (Northern Canada Evangelical Mission) in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Gerald’s work was in illustration for their varied publications as well as carpentry while Helen joined the office staff working with mail. This time challenged them and built their faith in many ways. They became involved in a local church and made many wonderful friends during that time.
The mission work concluded in 2002 after 11 years of great memories, it was time to start a new chapter. Retirement brought Gerald and Helen an opportunity to move close to family in Steinbach, Manitoba. Once again, they became involved in a local church and made many close friendships. Gerald joined a painting group, and Helen worked on quilts for family and missions, together they gardened and provided childcare with grandchildren and great-grandchildren filling their home with laughter and fun. They took on the challenge of helping to restore Helen’s (Koop)grandparent’s homestead yard at Neualage Cemetary on Twin Creek Road. They helped clear the long-neglected yard and grave site, where a memorial cairn was erected. Flower beds were created, the old foundation uncovered, and fruit trees replanted. Many barbeques were hosted for the Koop relatives, a great time of sharing old stories and remembering days gone by.
In March 2024 Helen entered Bethesda Place to be cared for as the dementia had become more difficult to manage. She received amazing care from the staff, nurses and doctors who were in charge of her. They provided such gentleness & love. Gerald never missed a day to see her. It was so sweet to see her face light up whenever he walked into the room, he was her rock and protector. Their loving marriage was a testimony. Early on Wednesday May 14th Helen suffered a stroke which kept her mostly unresponsive. Her family & Gerald supported her at her bedside until at 10:55 p.m. on Monday May 19th she slipped away and into the arms of her Heavenly Father.
A livestreamed Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday May 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, with a viewing prior for the public at 4:30 p.m., an interment to follow the service at Heritage Cemetery (on Loewen Blvd.). The family would be blessed if you could attend the luncheon to follow.
The family is so grateful for all the loving support and prayers they have received. Many thanks to Dr. Allen the nurses and the care staff at Bethesda Place.
