Helen Petker

1931 ~ 2015

Helen Victoria Petker was born in Raymond, AB on May 24, 1931. She was the fifth of nine children born to Peter and Margaret Regier, and the first to be born in Canada after the family escaped the former Soviet Union. The family moved to Coaldale soon thereafter and began farming. Although the early years were difficult, Mom often spoke fondly of those days as the family worked together to establish themselves in their new homeland.

Helen received her schooling in Coaldale and later attended three years at the Coaldale MB Bible School. Faith in God was an integral part of the Regier family life and Helen was baptized on confession of her faith and joined the Coaldale MB Church where she remained a member for the rest of her life.

She met and fell in love with Peter Petker at church and they were married on September 14, 1952. A few years later they moved onto a farm north of Coaldale adjacent to Peter’s parents’ farm and there they settled in to raise their family. Six children joined the fold over the course of ten years. Mom worked hard in those early years – the house was small and lacking many of the amenities we take for granted today. Mom often recalled the times when they were able to acquire some of these amenities like their first refrigerator, indoor plumbing, a freezer, and perhaps most importantly, the addition to their house which finally gave the growing family room to breathe.

Mom loved baking, cooking, and gardening – there was always more than enough food to feed the family. We are quite certain that in our growing up days, she would bake something, or, more likely, several somethings every day except Sunday. We kids always looked forward to seeing what was on the counters when we got off the school bus. Even in the last few months she would still have her baking days where she would fill the last few remaining spots in her freezer.

Life on the farm was busy – there were always more tasks than time. But Mom and Dad always found ways to include visiting, entertaining, day trips to Waterton, and other fun family events around chores and other farm work.

Life took a tragic turn on September 13, 1976 when Dad passed away suddenly in a farm accident. It was the day before their 24th anniversary. Mom’s life was shattered and yet she displayed a quiet strength and dignity as she struggled to carry on by herself. Five of her six children were still at home – the twins were only nine at the time. Mom’s deep faith in God and her tremendous resiliency, along with incredible support from her parents and siblings, her in-laws, and many, many friends carried her through these dark days. She remained a widow for nearly 40 years and we often marveled at how she embraced her lot in life in a calm, matter of fact way, always giving God the credit for seeing her through.

In the past few months Mom was feeling less and less well and seven weeks ago went into hospital where she was given the diagnosis of advanced cancer. This too she accepted with quiet dignity and immediately declared that she was ready to go home. God granted her wish last Tuesday, November 10, 2015. Mom was surrounded by family in her last days, and while we grieve her passing, we celebrate the assurance that we have that she is in glory, with Jesus, with Dad, and with the many others who have gone before her.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Peter; her parents, Peter & Margaret Regier; two sisters, Margaret and Mary in infancy; brother Abe; and numerous in-laws and friends. Left to carry on her legacy are her children, Don (Lou), Karen, Gerald (Janet), Myrna, Roland (Gayle), and Rose; 11 grandchildren – Deanne Stauffer (Scott), Darren (Judi) & Dana Petker, Jordan (Shandell), Lindsay & Meaghan Petker, Brendan & Kellen Balzer, and Jenna, Karl & Travis Petker; and six great-grandchildren - Caleb, Hannah, Morgan & Ben Petker, Owen and Ethan Stauffer; 2 brothers – Peter and John (Katie) 3 sisters – Lydia Thiessen (John), Beth Loewen (John), Anne Siebert (Henry), sister-in-law Martha Funk and numerous nieces and nephews as well as two remaining Petker in-laws, Nick Reimer and Mary Petker.

Family and Friends are invited to pay their respects between 4:00 and 5:00pm on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4 St. S. Lethbridge, AB.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am, on Monday, November 16, 2015 in the COALDALE MENNONITE CEMETERY. A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00pm, at the COALDALE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH, 2114 18 St. Coaldale, AB, with Pastor Gary Burke, officiating. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Sandy Regier of Martin Brothers.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Gideon’s Lethbridge Camp, c/o John Regier, 2225- 27 Ave S. Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6K5.