Obituary of HELEN FRANZ

HELEN FRANZ It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Helen Franz on September 14, 2015 at Lion’s Manor in Winnipeg. Helen was born December 25, 1926 at Camp Morton to J. Adam and Elizabeth Haas. She is survived by her children Larry (Lorraine), Adrienne (Allen) Koblun, and Mark; grandchildren Melanie (Richard) Arndt, James Franz, Andrea (Greg) McDonald, Christopher (Lori) Franz; great grandchildren Kelby and Aimee Arndt, Jack, William, Logan and Benjamin McDonald, and Hailey Franz. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph in 2014, by her grandson Dale in 1996 and numerous other family members. Helen was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. For her, family always came first. She was a great homemaker, always ready to lend a hand and always thinking of others. Her home was always a warm place of welcome and it gave her great pleasure to do things for others, especially for those less fortunate. Helen’s hands were never still. Her perogies, holopchie, pickles and preserves were the best and she made them often for the family. She loved card games. Her gardens were immense and immaculate. She spent countless years knitting. All told, Helen knit untold numbers of baby sweaters and blankets. Each year she proudly knit hundreds of winter hats, mittens and scarves. They were distributed to many organizations and charities to be given out to those in need. They were all given from her caring heart. Raised in Camp Morton, Helen worked in Winnipeg for a while then married and lived at the farm in Berlo, MB. They moved to Gimli and later to Winnipeg. In Gimli, she was active in St. Michael’s Church, the CWL , and enjoyed curling and Brownies Group. When they moved to Winnipeg she was active at St. Ignatius Parish. She and Joe enjoyed many years of cottage life at their cabin in Arnes by Lake Winnipeg. Helen and Joe moved to Lions Manor in 2006, where Helen made her new home, enjoying the friendship of others and especially sharing in the many activities there. She touched the hearts of family and many friends. Special thanks to all those at Lion’s Manor who took such good care of her. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 19, 10:00AM at St. Michael’s Church in Gimli.