Helen, formerly of Arcola, Sask. passed away surrounded by her loving family in the Regina General Hospital on April 15, 2015 at the age of 93 years.
Helen was born March 28, 1922 to Peter and Beatrice Allan, the youngest of 7 children and was raised on the family farm at Creelman, Sask. She attended the country school of Sequin which was within a mile of their farm and then on to Creelman and Heward for high school, followed by attending Normal School in Regina where she completed her teaching certificate. After receiving her certificate in 1942 she accepted a position at the Wabash School located 4 miles east of Willmar, where she taught for 1.5 years.
Helen billeted at the Luedtke farm one mile south of the school, where she met her future husband Elmer. They were married in Regina at a double wedding ceremony with her sister in1944 and lived on the farm with a number of family members until they took over the homestead farm in 1947. Elmer and Helen raised five 鈥渨onderful鈥� children (Kelvin, Lynne, Maureen, Bonnie and Dale).
She took pride in her home and was an excellent seamstress and cook. The Luedtke farm was a second summer home to many nieces and nephews who experienced all the fun and some of the work on the farm and lots of music. They were accepted as part of the family and have fond memories from that time. Helen loved gardening and was very proud of her flowers. She was active with the church and community events and really enjoyed the social part of playing cards and was very keen at Bridge, especially in the long cold winter months when neighbours would visit. Curling was an event she enjoyed and in later years as a spectator, even on TV. Garage and household auction sales were a huge attraction for her and if she could stop for a visit to the casino would help to make her day. Having a good comfortable car and a new pair of leather shoes was highly valued and something her family knew about. She always maintained a positive outlook and enjoyed life with an eager willingness to learn new things like starting to play the violin in her later years.
After her family was raised, she was employed at Moose Mountain Lodge in Carlyle for 9 years which was enjoyable and her circle of friends grew much larger. In 1983, Elmer and Helen left the farm and moved to Arcola, where many of their Willmar area friends had already moved to, and as a result their circle of friends grew even larger. Ol鈥檛ime music 鈥渏am sessions鈥� continued to be common place at their home when any of the musical family members and friends would visit. After Elmer passed away in 1995, Helen continued to live in Arcola till Sept 2012 when she moved the Collage Park Sr. Home in Regina. Although she missed her friends in Arcola area, she adapted quickly to the routine at the home, quickly made more friends, continued to play many card games and enjoy all the special entertainment and social times, like 鈥渉appy hour鈥� every Friday afternoon.
Helen was predeceased by her parents Peter and Beatrice Allan, her husband Elmer of more than 50 years, her sister Marie, brothers, Donald, Andrew, Sam, Colin, son-in-law Don George and numerous brother and sister-in-laws.
Helen is survived by her two sons, Kelvin (Theresa), Arcola; Dale (Wendy), Lloydminster. Three daughters, Lynne Currie, Regina, Maureen (Mark) Fischer, Medicine Hat; Bonnie (Clint) Clarke, Medicine Hat. Sixteen grandchildren and Fourteen great-grandchildren. 5 Sister-In-Laws, Kathryn (Creelman), Ruth (Regina), Adelia (Watrous), Evelyn (Calgary) and Doris (Vancouver).
A celebration of Helen鈥檚 Life will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 5:00 pm in the Prairie Place Hall in Arcola, with Reverend Jason Schultz and Retired Pastor Orville Kaminski officiating. All are welcome to attend including lunch afterwards and a social time with family and friends. Internment will be held at 2 pm the next day on Saturday, May 23, at the Wordsworth Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Arcola Hospital. Arrangements in care of Orsted Funeral Home in Carlyle. To send messages, stories or condolences to the family, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com
