Helen Neufeld (nee Dyck)

  • Helen Neufeld (nee Dyck)
  • Date of Passing: July 31, 2024
  • Born: November 12, 1940

Obituary

Our dear mom, grandma and great-grandma Helen Neufeld, 83, from Niverville and Landmark, MB., passed away at Souris Health Centre, Souris, MB., on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

She was born November 12, 1940, to Gerhard and Lydia Dyck in Einlage, Ukraine. The war in Russia forced them to flee their home to a refugee camp in Germany and eventually, through the efforts of Mennonite Central Committee, they were granted passage aboard the Volendam, a ship which brought them to South America. They made a home in the Chaco of Paraguay, where they lived for 12 years before coming to Winnipeg in 1955. Once here, she went to school at Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna and then graduated from Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg.

She married her high school sweetheart Bernie Neufeld in 1963, whom she met at MCI, and together they raised four children: Darlene, Doris, Karen and David. Bernie’s work as a teacher in northern Manitoba took them to Pelican Rapids and Cranberry Portage, and then back to Winnipeg where they lived for a few years before settling down in Landmark in 1974. She worked at the General Store and then at the Landmark School as a Teachers Aide for many years, but her family remained her focus to the very end.

After they retired, they spent lots of time visiting their children and grandchildren in Manitoba, Alberta, BC & Ontario. She loved going to ball tournaments, and for their 40th wedding anniversary, they took a ferry to Vancouver Island, drove to Port Hardy and then took another ferry to Prince Rupert. They always joked this was their “anniversary cruise”. She cherished the time she spent with Bernie, whether they were working together on their house or yard, watching a ball game together or more recently, sitting on the deck or their porch, watching birds and just enjoying a coffee and visiting.

She lived simply and didn’t need fancy vacations. Camping trips with family and friends, and road trips across Canada were always a highlight. She always packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed stopping for coffee. It was during a road trip through southern Manitoba with Bernie and the kids, that her heart became too weak, and she died at the Souris Hospital.

Mom was well known for her baking, especially cinnamon buns, her love of coffee at all hours, and of course always loved a visit or a phone call. Her freezer was always full of baking – cookies, buns, meat buns, platz or other pastries and she welcomed any visitor who would drop by. She had a knack for making people feel comfortable and welcome. Helen loved classical and choral music, and the CBC. She was a lifelong learner, with a keen interest in current events and history.

She dearly loved each of her children and grandchildren (and all of their friends!) and always made sure they knew that they were loved and special.

In November 2023, Helen and Bernie sold the family home in Landmark and moved to the Niverville Manor, an assisted living facility. They enjoyed making new friends together here. In the last few years, her mobility and physical ability had seriously declined, but Mom & Dad continued to help each other at every turn. Theirs was a love and a partnership unlike any other. They laughed and had fun together throughout their entire lives and were grateful to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary last year among family and friends.

Helen’s Christian faith and her church were a grounding force in her life. Her faith in God was unwavering, and it was a blessing and a joy for her to be able to gather and worship.

She is survived by her beloved husband Bernie; her children Darlene (Reg Plett), Doris Neufeld, Karen (Dave Wiens), and David (Alison) Neufeld; grandchildren Luke Plett & Sara Corbett, Zach Plett, Andrea & Ryan Berlando, Eric & Beth Zamrykut, Kate Wiens, Liz Wiens & Peter Johnson, Josh Neufeld, Anika & Zach Giesbrecht, and Jake Neufeld; and one great-grandchild Ramona Zamrykut.

She was predeceased by her parents-in-law Bernhard (1975) and Margaret (1976) Neufeld, her parents Gerhard (2000) and Lydia (2012) Dyck, and her very special aunt Käthe Martens (1990).

The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 9th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Heartland Community Church, Landmark, MB.

Funeral Details

Funeral Service

  • Heartland Community Church
  • 333 Main Street, Landmark
  • Directions: (Google Map)
  • August 9, 2024 - 2:00 pm

Arrangements

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