Helena Jurgens
Posted Jun 22, 2015 | 10:48 PM
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Helena “Lena” Mary (nee Struck) Jurgens of Prince Albert, SK, (and formerly of Fulda, SK and Humboldt, SK), at Victoria Hospital, Prince Albert, on Saturday, June 13, 2015. She was 90 years of age. Helena was born on July 1, 1924, to Rudolph and Anna Margaret (nee Pitzel) Struck in a log house on the family farm east of Pilger, SK. She attended St. Bernard’s School where she completed Grade 8. After her schooling, she worked as hired help for various employers, including John Jurgens and his son Henry, her future husband. Henry and Helena were married on June 5, 1945, at St. Bernard’s R.C. Church, Pilger. Mom cared for her father-in-law, John, in his last year of life. Mom and dad worked together, gradually improving the homestead farm near Fulda, and raised five children, four daughters and one son. Her gardens were very productive, resulting in many hours of canning and freezing, as well as many donations to family members. Mom and dad also raised pigs, cattle, turkeys, and chickens. Mom loved flowers, baking, and sewing. She and dad were able to find the time to travel in the U.S.A., including Alaska, and across Canada. They also spent many hours together fishing, checking out the crops, and visiting family. In 1986, they moved off the farm into Humboldt, where mom continued her love of gardening and needle work. Spoiling her grandchildren was important to her. Their favorite Christmas gift was grandma’s homemade chicken noodle soup. In 1995, Henry and Helena celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After Henry died in 1996, mom continued to live in their house until 2007. At that time, she moved to the Harry Ford Centre where she lived for four years. Failing health required her to move to the Good Shepherd Home in Prince Albert in June 2011. There, she continued to be an advocate for those who were unable to speak for themselves. Helena leaves to mourn her five children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren: Elaine (Al) Wempe of Estevan, SK, and family, Keith (Stacey) Wempe and their children Garrett and Katie, Kirby (Rachelle) Wempe and their children Brianne and Rylan, and Kristy Wempe (Paul Hamill); Margery (John) Hosak of Prince Albert, SK, and their daughter Rachelle Hosak (Chad Kosokowsky); Donelda (Doug) Still of Regina, SK, and family, Andrea Still and her son Henry, and Sarah Still (Chris Gunningham) and their children Freyja and Callum; Lory Jurgens (Don Chipley) of Kingston, ON; and Dale (Cathy) Jurgens of North Battleford, SK, and family, Amy (Tyler) Dies and their children Maria and Eva, Amanda Jurgens, Matthew Jurgens (Leah Lovas) and their children Torah and Madden, and Nathan Jurgens. She is also survived by two brothers and three sisters: Denis (late Gladys) Struck, Victor Struck, Mariann (Bernard) Diederichs, Erna (John) Diederichs, and Diane (Ralph) Hopfner; in-laws: Agatha (late Ervin) Struck, and Doris (late Merlin) Struck. Helena was predeceased by her husband, Henry Jurgens (October 9, 1996); parents, Rudolph and Anna (nee Pitzel) Struck; three brothers, two sisters, and spouses: Verner Struck, Alma (John) Froess, Marcus (Elizabeth) Struck, Roman (Cecilia) Struck, and Lorraine Struck; and by Henry’s seven brothers, five sisters, and spouses: John Jurgens Jr., Theresa (Carl) Wittke, Carl (Ida) Jurgens, Louisa (August) Frank, Joseph (Catherine) Jurgens, Bill (Cornelia) Jurgens, Herman (Irene) Jurgens, Clara (Ed) Brisseau, Fred (Marie) Jurgens, Elsa (Lawrence) Wehage, Ida Forsen, and Tony (Clara) Jurgens. The Prayer Service for Helena was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Friday, June 19, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., led by Nestor Trach and organist Darlene Cash. The scripture reader was Andrea Still and the eulogy was delivered by Doug Still. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB. Others taking part were: Katie Wempe, crossbearer; Rachelle Hosak and Kristy Wempe, scripture readers; Andrea Still, intentions; Sarah Still, Chris Gunningham, Freyja and Callum Gunningham, giftbearers; Margery Hosak and Donelda Still, communion ministers; Michelle Kuervers and Bryson Kuervers, memorial table attendants. Honorary pallbearers were “all those who shared in Helena’s life”. Active pallbearers were David Struck, Eldon Struck, Wayne Diederichs, Stanley Struck, Karen Gray, Keith Wempe, Andrea Still, and Sarah Still. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the St. Augustine Parish Centre. Interment followed at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Fulda. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the St. Augustine Parish Centre. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK. (306-682-4114; www.schuler-lefebvrefuneralchapel.com)
- Date : 2015-06-13
- Location : Prince Albert, SK