Helen Martin (Neufeld) Heinz, age 93, passed away peacefully June 3, 2014 at the Northern Lights Manor, Flin Flon, Manitoba. A Church Service was held June 21, 2014.
She was born August 2, 1920 to the late Charles and Helen Currie in Regina, Saskatchewan. Helen was predeceased by her brother David and her sister Agnes. Also predeceasing her were husbands George Neufeld (1956), William (Bill) Neufeld (1975), and Jacob (Jack) Heinz (1996). Helen’s Grandson, Logan Eidt, passed away in 2004.
Helen met George Neufeld in 1941 in Fort San, Saskatchewan where they were both employed. She took a three-year registered nursing course while George was away in the Navy and graduated in May, 1945. They were married August, 1945. After George’s discharge in December, 1945, they moved to Saskatoon for a couple of years. They moved to Flin Flon in July, 1947 and then to Creighton, Saskatchewan in October of the same year. Here they purchased their first “home”, a 20 X 24 foot unfinished garage. After several additions, it was decided to rebuild their home in 1953. When the Flin Flon Lions Club was formed, they were invited to join in their first year. Helen remained an active member of the Lion L’s for 40 years. Helen went back to nursing part-time in 1949. George passed away in 1956, two-and-a-half months before the birth of their fourth child. Helen was employed as a registered nurse at the Flin Flon Clinic in 1957 for 14 years, then went back to bedside nursing.
Helen married William (Bill) Neufeld in 1971. They bought Allen’s Dry Cleaners in 1974. Bill died suddenly in 1975. The business was sold a year later and Helen went back to nursing at the hospital in Flin Flon. They travelled a lot throughout Manitoba and parts of USA as Bill was a District Governor for the Lions Club.
Helen met Jacob (Jack) Heinz through the Lions Club and they were married in 1977. She worked at Flin Flon Insurance which Jack owned until they both retired in 1980. They built their dream home at Bakers Narrows shortly afterwards and spent many happy years entertaining family and friends. They travelled extensively throughout Europe and Canada. Many of their trips were with the Lions Club. One favourite trip was a whitewater rafting trip on the Coppermine River. Jack passed away in 1996 after having suffered a stroke in 1994.
Helen remained at the home for three years then moved into her apartments on Hill Street in Flin Flon, where she lived independently until June of 2013, when she decided it was time to move into the Northern Lights Manor.
Helen gave many hours to the community while volunteering for various organizations. She was instrumental in organizing the quilting group at the Lutheran Church where she spent many hours with friends making quilts that were sent to Third World countries. She was very active with the Lion L’s, the United and Lutheran Churches and the Northern Nurses group. She taught Sunday School in her earlier years and relied on God as her guide through life. Helen was very fond of gardening as well as just sitting on the cabin deck watching and listening to the loons. She spent many hours knitting, crocheting and sewing.
Helen’s four children, grand and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She made many sacrifices for them all. Her love of travel included trips down the Oregon coast and an Alaskan cruise in the company of one or more of her children. She also travelled to be with her many grandchildren.
Surviving Helen are her four children. Marj Evason; Pat (Larry) Romanchych; Ron (Brenda) Neufeld: Kath (Doug) Eidt and her 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, c/o Northern Rainbow’s End, 55 Main Street, Flin Flon, R8A 1J7, or to the First Lutheran Church, 20 Second Avenue, Flin Flon, R8A 1G5, or the Flin Flon Creighton S.P.C.A., P.O. Box 863, Flin Flon, R8A 1N6.
A special thanks to the staff at the Northern Lights Manor for your friendliness and compassionate care. Thank you to Dadson’s Funeral Home staff for your compassion, professionalism and help.
