JELKA HELEN VUKOVIC

Helen passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 92. 

She was predeceased by her mother Katica; her father Stjepan; brothers Slavko, and Ivo and her husband Jure.

Helen is lovingly remembered by her children Lori, Sharon (Robert) and John; granddaughter Casandra and grandson Chase (Sam), also her little companion Mala.

She also will be remembered by her nieces Cathy (Tony) of San Diego, California, Angie of Las Vegas, Nevada and Marianne (Zdenko) of Mission Viejo, California and her two nephews Drago and Ante of Stara Gradiska, Croatia.

Helen was born in Stara Gradiska, Croatia, October 14, 1933 to Stjepan and Katica Kikic.  At a very young age, Helen endured the difficult loss of her mother Katica.  Her Grandfather Stanjo was her guiding light and best friend as she grew up on the farm.  With her brothers hiding from the Communist regime, her father was jailed refusing to give them up.  Every week mom went into the forest and brought food/water and news of the war to her brothers and friends.  Helen became the matriarch and ran the family farm with the help of her ailing Grandfather.  She became a very successful and shrewd businesswoman rebuilding what was taken away in the time of war.  In 1951, Helen left Croatia and settled in Nice, France.  She began working at the beautiful “Hotel Negresco” and was employed there until 1958.  In 1958 she emigrated to Hamilton, Canada, joining her brother Slavko.  This is when she met Jure.  They were married December 2, 1961.  Together they came to Winnipeg and settled down in Transcona starting a family and business.  The passing of Jure in December of 1982 was a very difficult time for mom.  She had many friends and family to help her get through her pain.  Helen was a successful seamstress for many years working from home.  She also did part-time office cleaning around the Transcona area for a few years.  It was in the early eighties she joined the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza housekeeping staff and made many friends there.  Helen retired in the late 1990’s.  She regularly enjoyed the company of her friend and neighbour Eileen.  This is when she was introduced to the “Casino”.  She regularly went on junkets with her dear friends Anna Kokan and Zora Grdic to Shooting Star, and Southbeach.  She also enjoyed going to Club Regent for soup and a little gaming.  Getting away from the city and going to White Mud Falls was a favourite thing for mom to do.  She became very good friends with John Josipovic or “JJ”, which she knew from her childhood in Croatia. They were best friends and spent much of their time together up until his passing in 2012.  In her later years mom enjoyed the summers at home sitting on the deck with her companion Mala, the flower garden, and of course her tomatoes. Mom cherished her time with her grandchildren which always brought a smile to her face.  The greatest thing about mom was her generosity towards everyone.  She had a big heart and a smile to match.  After a visit with her she would always say: “I love you, drive safe, see you soon!” even if she just met you.  Helen was one of a kind and will be deeply missed by everyone she knew.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care program at the St. Boniface Hospital and the many doctors and nurses who gave her care.

A prayer service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel Transcona, 1800 Day Street.  A private family interment to follow.