It is with shattered hearts that the family announces the passing of Helen Rosina Schraeder on December 1, 2020. After a brief battle with cancer, Helen passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 90 years. A private graveside service will take place at Mountain View Cemetery in Revelstoke, B.C.
Helen was born on October 30, 1930 – the youngest child of Rosina and Joachim Gerein. She was predeceased by both her parents and all of her 11 siblings – Annie, Martin, Lena, Mike, Carrie, Valentine, Frank, Jim, Joe, Kay and Mary.
Helen Gerein was raised on a prairie farm located between two Saskatchewan towns – Scott and Revenue. She helped with all aspects of farm life and helped her older sisters with their families as the years went by. When she was 18 Helen left the farm for a job in a restaurant and it was during that time that she met the man of her dreams, Fred Schraeder. They were married two years later, on Oct. 18, 1950 and were together for 69 years. A love story for the ages and a true inspiration. Her loving husband, Fred, passed away in March 2020 and they are now together forever in eternity.
Over the years Helen worked very little outside the home but did waitress, chambermaid, was a housekeeper, did in-home daycare and worked at a dry cleaners. Her most important job, however, was raising her children. A job that she took great pride in and, as her children, we say she excelled in her career. We are so grateful for the love and caring she showed us over the years – we were so blessed to have had our Mom home to greet us when we arrived from school, to soothe our hurts, feed us with delicious food, play and read with us. She sewed clothes for us kids, grew a large garden, kept a very clean and organized home and took pride in everything she did no matter how big or small.
Helen was always a very faithful and caring person, who contributed generously of her time and energy to any group or organization she joined. Over the years she was part of the CWL, Hospital Auxiliary, K-Cette’s, Cadet Parent Group, Ladies of St. Francis, Revelstoke Seniors, Selkirk Gardens social committee. She didn’t just join but jumped right in and gave it her all and spent many hours volunteering, organizing, fundraising, baking, serving, and helping in any way she could. Family, Faith, Friends and Community – the foundations of her life.
It wasn’t all work and no play. Helen and her husband lived a very active life. She especially enjoyed dancing, 5 pin bowling, cross country skiing, horseshoes, camping, carpet bowling, crafts, sewing, crocheting, quilting, was a voracious reader, and loved to play cards and dice games. Each child, grandchild, great grandchild and a few family and friends have a handmade quilt by Helen. Slippers, scarves, headbands, dishcloths, afghans, pot holders, placemats and much more – all lovingly created by Helen were welcomed and treasured gifts.
One of Helen’s best qualities was her ability to feed her family, friends and neighbours. She loved to cook and bake and was never afraid to try a new recipe – at least once. Many of her family favourite recipes have already been handed down and were always requested at family gatherings and meals. Her potato buns and German potato salad were a particularly big hit and will be enjoyed by generations to come.
Helen loved her family so much and was so proud of each and everyone. She is survived by her daughters Yvonne (Ken) Thompson, Jean (Sonny) Pedersen; and her sons Matthew Schraeder and Albert (Candice) Schraeder.
Her lasting legacy includes 13 Grandchildren: Chelan (Corry) Sabiston; John (Crystal) Sali; Malia (Jeff) Fitzpatrick; Bryan (Anne Huizinga) Sali; Starla Henderson; Leah Wood; Dayna (Chase) Elliott; Kirei Thompson; Blaine (Kate Woofenden-Gow) Schraeder; Justin (Angela Bower) Schraeder; Jeremy (Caroline) Pedersen; Neil Pedersen and Rob (Shayne) Pedersen, and 24 Great Grandchildren: Sidney, Sailor, Alexis, Jette, Violet, Brevin, Copeland, Ciel, Vaya, Maya, Nic, Jasper, Adelina, Camdyn, Begbie, Gavin, Monty, Declan, Walter, Henry, Jaya, Chad, Rae-Lynn and Kira.
Helen – Mom – Grandma – Great Grandma – Aunt – Sister In Law – Cousin – Friend
A very kind and gentle soul. She showed us all how to live and love, give and care.
We will carry her forever in our hearts.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Brown for her gentle and dedicated care, the nursing and ER staff at QVH, the Home Care Nurses, and a special thank you to her ‘Selkirk Garden Family’ for all the love, friendship and care you showed Mom especially during these last trying weeks and days.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Helen’s family by viewing her obituary at:
www.brandonbowerfuneralhome.com
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home, Revelstoke.
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