Unger, Helen
Helen Unger
March 6, 1929 – February 8, 2010
Helen Unger (nee Friesen) was born on March 6, 1929 to Jacob and Katherina (Derksen) Friesen on the family farm in the Aberdeen district. Helen was the middle child of 13 Friesen siblings, having exactly six brothers and six sisters. In the early years of her childhood she shared in her family’s struggle of living life during the hardships of the Great Depression, and the impact of growing up during that era, stayed with her all her life. Mom was very adept at making every dollar count and at stretching a penny further than one could imagine! Mom attended school at the Lily South School, and back at home, she worked hard at the many chores required by so large a family. Herding the cattle as they grazed throughout the summer months is a special memory of her childhood that has always stayed with her. Soon Mom blossomed into a lovely young lady, and in 1947, upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ she was baptized by Bishop Wall, in the Aberdeen Bergthaler Church.
Sometime after the war years, a handsome young man from “Disse Zede” (this side of the river) entered her life, and she was united in marriage to Jacob Unger on July 25, 1948, at the Reinfeld Bergthaler Church, making their home on the family farm three miles east of Hague. To this union were born 10 children: two daughters and eight sons. Mom was always very devoted to her family, working hard to provide for them all. With such a large family, meal times were the highlight of every day. This also provided for some humourous moments, with cups or even pitchers full of water sent streaming across the table. Never a dull moment! Mom may have wished for a dull moment now and then, but with 10 children to feed, clothe and clean up after, dull moments were rare!
With the children grown up and away from home, Mom and Dad sold the farm in spring of 1991, and moved into a house in Hague. At this time Mom’s love of gardening took off in a new direction, many times winning prizes for her produce at the local fair. And so the things that had been a necessity while raising her children, now became hobbies in which she took great pride and delight. Mom could always be found in one of three places: in her garden, by her stove or at her sewing machine – planting and watering, baking and canning and stitching up fabric into all manner of things. In addition to the summer fair, Mom also began to bring the fruit of her labours to the farmer’s market in Rosthern, striking up quite a business for herself, as well as making a new circle of friends and acquaintances, all of who brought special meaning into her life. From Roll Kuchen to baby blankets, from cushions to birthday pies, from chicken noodle soup to her special ‘sprinkle’ cookies, we have all been blessed with the work of her hands and her heart. Mom was very concerned for the welfare of her family, not only for the physical, but for their spiritual welfare as well, spending time in prayer for her children and grandchildren, especially so after Dad passed away.
Mom enjoyed good health until June of 2009, when she was diagnosed with kidney failure, after which her health rapidly declined. She was taken to St. Paul’s Hospital on January 27, 2010 where she spent the final days of her life. On February 8, at the age of 80 years, 11 months and two days, Mom peacefully passed from this life into the next and entered the presence of the Lord.
Helen is survived by her loving family; 10 children: Jake (Joyce) Unger, Hague; Helen (Clarence) Fehr, Summerland, BC; Pete (Jan) Unger, Hague; John (Tena) Unger, Warman; Bill (Cynthia) Unger, Osler; Frank (Val) Unger, Hague; Martin (Eva) Unger, Osler; Dave (Tammie) Unger, Hague; Ern (Jen) Unger, Hague; Freda (Dave) Nelson, Sandstone, MN; 33 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Also surviving her are sisters: Tena (Wolfe) Wiebe, Mary Janzen, Margaret (Peter) Dyck, Elizabeth (Klaus) Dyck, Barb Janzen and Ann (Frank) Janzen; and brothers: Jacob, Peter, Cornie (Mary) and Aaron (Tina); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was predeceased by her husband, Jacob P. Unger; parents, Jacob and Katherina Friesen; infant granddaughter, Erin Denae Unger; infant great granddaughter, Lucy Siqi Unger; and brothers Abe and John.
Helen – mother and grandmother, sister and friend – will be missed by many, yet we rejoice with her that her struggles are past and Jordan has been safely crossed.
The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at the Grace Mennonite Church, Neuanlage, SK with Pastor Henry Janzen and Pastor Darryl Neudorf officiating.
The pallbearers were Kelsey Fehr, Sean Unger, Devon Nelson, Doug Unger, Darren Unger, Karlin Unger and Jason Unger.
Interment took place in Neuanlage Cemetery.
Arrangements were in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK.
