Obituary of HELEN MAGDALENE KRAEMER

HELEN MAGDALENE KRAEMER

July 24, 1930 - May 31, 2025

Helen Magdalene Kraemer (nee Schwartz) went home to the Lord with the love of her family at the age of 94. She passed at Seven Oaks General Hospital in Winnipeg after a brief stay.

Mom is survived by eight of her nine children: Robert (Beverly), Janice Paukovic (Thomas), Thomas (Marlene), James (Teresa), Gerald (Katherine), David (Cynthia Dowse), Paula and Jeffrey (Silvana); many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother Joseph Schwartz; numerous nephews, nieces and extended family.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Paul Joseph Kraemer in January 2012. She was also predeceased by her son Ryan Andrew Kraemer, her brother William Schwartz and his wife Rosalie and her granddaughter Melanie Helen Kraemer.

Helen Kraemer, the first born of Joseph and Agnes Schwartz, came into the world on July 24, 1930 in Winnipeg. The world she experienced included: the depression, war, floods, drought and blizzards. She experienced her share of life and death, joy and sadness, disappointment and satisfaction.

Helen lived her entire life in the North End and was educated at Ralph Brown, Faraday and St. John’s High.

Helen met Paul, her husband of sixty-two years, at a Catholic Youth Organization wiener roast in October of 1946. At the time Paul was working at the family owned and operated business - Northern Shoe Mfg. Co. Ltd. He had just returned home from a three-year stint in the army. Helen was working as a dental assistant for Dr. W.H. Barber. She rode streetcars and later trolley buses to work. They were engaged in October of 1948. During their courtship they enjoyed bowling, roller skating, movies, dancing at St. Joseph’s Parochial Society Saturday Night banquets, trips to Winnipeg and Grand Beaches and a trip to St. Cloud and Minneapolis, Minnesota to meet Paul’s American aunts, uncles and cousins. She quickly became the family historian remembering everyone’s name and relationship. They were married June 18, 1949, and first resided in a suite at Helen’s parents. In April 1955, they bought their first and only house on Inkster Boulevard.

Their house quickly became a home with Helen taking on her most significant roles as mother, homemaker and caregiver. She “fondly” remembered doing laundry with a wringer washing machine, hanging diapers and clothes to dry (even in winter) and hand ironing most of the family clothes. She naturally became and was well suited to be the Kraemer Family Matriarch, a role she truly embraced. Her home became the gathering place for her family and all extended family who would pass through Winnipeg.

Helen was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Parish and received all her sacraments there. She raised her children there as well, sending them to St. Joseph’s School where she served on the School Board, including time as president.

Helen was a member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada. She served three different terms as president of her local council. She thoroughly enjoyed sharing her experience with members at Diocesan, Provincial and National Conventions. She was recently presented with her seventy-five-year service pin, an exceedingly rare achievement.

Helen enjoyed travelling with Paul to see their family in Abbotsford and Montreal. They also enjoyed visiting Germany, Hawaii, Orlando and Niagara Falls.

Helen enjoyed being part of the generation who initiated and organized the Annual Kraemer Family Picnic at Kildonan Park with participants from across Canada, the USA and England; enjoying food, games and fellowship.

Throughout her life she enjoyed dancing, bowling, gardening, knitting, crafts, reading, crossword puzzles and playing cards, in particular bridge. She was known as the family master of the card game Wizard and would play it anytime. She would attend many of her family’s recitals, sport events, productions and graduations. She enjoyed the arts, attending theater, opera, symphony, and particularly G&S and Rainbow Stage. She was also known to take in several Fringe Festival shows each year.

Helen enjoyed participating in seniors’ groups activities, particularly St. Joseph’s Golden Age Group where she served as treasurer and Paul was president. They also belonged to Air Canada Pionairs Retirees Group and Inkster Seniors. After Paul’s passing she joined the St. Anthony’s Leisure Club.

Helen enjoyed attending Goldeyes baseball games since the team’s return to Winnipeg in 1994. She and Paul were members of the Goldeyes Fan Club and travelled to support the team on many road trips.

Helen lived her last months “on vacation” at River Ridge I. While there, she met some old friends and made many new ones. She participated in many activities including dancing (with a walker), corn hole toss, ladder ball, axe throwing, bingo and in particular playing bridge. She enjoyed the meals, the regularly scheduled entertainment and time spent in the chapel.

Helen and Paul never asked for much, but they surely gave much including the years spent volunteering for the Folklorama Alpine Pavillion and the St. Joseph’s Residence Guild. Helen spent her life serving her family, her church and her community. The legacy she and Paul built is their reputation and their three generations of descendants. She was immensely proud and pleased with the accomplishments of her nine children (1950-1970), twenty-one grandchildren (1976-1999) and thirty-three great grandchildren (1998-2025).

Helen will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Prayers will be held Tuesday, June 17, 8:00 pm, at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 18, 11:00 am, at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, corner of Mountain and Andrews. A private family interment will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in memory of Helen.