Helen Elizabeth Zimmer:
January 31, 1915 - April 8, 2013
The death of Mrs. Helen Elizabeth (nee Schwartz)(Delwisch) Zimmer of Humboldt, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Monday, April 8, 2013. She was 98 years of age. Helen was born January 31, 1915 to Jacob and Susan Schwartz on the farm near St. Gregor, SK. She was the oldest of nine children. Her first love as a child was her beloved horse, Jimmie. He was her friend, her companion and her transportation all in one. Helen and Jimmie went regularly to see "little Gramma", to whom she was very close. On November 15, 1938 Helen married Henry Delwisch and they moved to the Naicam-Spalding area where they farmed. In 1952, they moved to the Archerwill area. In 1958, with three children in high school they decided they should be closer to town, so they moved to a half mile west of Archerwill, where they continued to farm. That year, Denis graduated from high school and Kathy was born for a total of seven children. By 1959, they were renting several parcels of land. The crops were good and hopes were high, until a devastating hail storm came through and they barely salvaged enough grain for feed. In 1961 their home was almost lost to a fire that started at the nearby garbage dump and got out of control. With the help of many neighbours and town people, the yard site was saved. On December 30, 1967 tragedy struck the family and Henry died of heart failure, leaving Helen with 3 children still at home. Soon after that, Denis moved back home to work in Archerwill and to help out at home. Having been strictly a homemaker and mother, Helen cooked for SaskTel crews who were working nearby. Before long, Mervin and Allan struck out on their own, so that left only Helen, Denis, and Kathy at home. Helen then took in two boarders, Lloyd Nelson and Wayne Lee. Lloyd was only there for a short time, but Wayne stayed for three years and became part of the family. On July 3, 1971 Helen married Joe Zimmer Sr., a farmer from the Spalding District. That marriage expanded her family by including five more children. That one large blended family of 12 developed into a very large family which now includes 34 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren. In January 2001, Helen and Joe moved to Eastside Village in Humboldt, where they enjoyed a life of leisure. On December 15, 2003 Joe passed away and Helen was widowed for the second time. In March of 2005, Helen had eye surgery leaving her with only one eye which had impaired vision. However, that did not stop her from reading, which was a special love of hers. On January 10, 2006 Helen suffered a broken hip, from which she recovered quickly, but left her unable to live independently. In May of 2006, Sylvia and Ernie moved to Humboldt and invited Helen to be their permanent guest. In June of 2009, Helen suffered a stroke which left her no longer able to do many of the things she loved. However, she persevered and with the help of a magnifying glass was still able to read large print books until recently. Then she discovered she could read with the use of a Kindle e-reader, and was able to read one final book that she finished just days before her passing. Helen loved gardening and spent much time caring for her beloved flowers, both indoors and out. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting afghans, and visiting with family and friends. Her greatest joy was when her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit. The location of Gramma's well-stocked cookie and ju jube jars was well known by all. Helen will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her 7 children; Denis (Sandra) Delwisch, Glenn (Lillian) Delwisch, Sylvia Robillard, David Delwisch, Mervin (Linda) Delwisch, Allan (Terry) Delwisch, Kathy (Leo) Wiebe; 4 stepchildren; Laurence (Irma) Zimmer, Leonard (Lori) Zimmer, Gerald (Kathy) Zimmer, RoseMarie (Lorne) Dosch; one step-daughter-in-law: Lorraine Zimmer; 34 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray (Betty) Schwartz and Aly (Evelyn) Schwartz; two sisters, Marie (Norman) Painter and Louise Knafelc; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her first husband, Henry Delwisch, her second husband Joseph Zimmer; step-son, Joey Zimmer; son-in-law, Ernie Robillard, her parents, Jacob and Susan (nee Raskob) Schwartz; three brothers, Lawrence, Art, and Willie Schwartz; one sister Clara Schwartz (in infancy); six sisters-in-law, Joan Schwartz, Mary (Tony) Buttinger, Elisabeth (Ben) Ruholl, Antonia (Thodor) Kuhlen of Germany, Maria (Johann) Brand-Sassen of Germany and Anna (Georg) Wehlage of Germany; and four brothers-in-law: Stan Knafelc, George (Frieda) Delwisch of Germany, Jim (Mary) Zimmer, and Sebastian (Anne) Zimmer.The Prayer Service for Helen was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Friday, April12, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., led by Jenny Irwin. Scripture readers were Shaunna Raycraft and Joanne Mehling, and the eulogy was delivered by Denis Delwisch. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Friday, April12, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Gregory Roth. Others taking part were: Braeden Leislar, crossbearer; Rochelle MacDonald and Jeff Zimmer, scripture readers; Lynn Leislar, intentions; Michelle Bolen, Shannon Bolen, and Glenn Delwisch, giftbearers; Lucille Niebrugge and Elaine Hughes, memorial table attendants. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Helen's life". Active pallbearers were Tyler Delwisch, Calvin Delwisch, Shane Delwisch, Dale Zimmer, Joey Dosch and Darcy Zimmer. Interment followed at Lakeside Cemetery, Archerwill, SK. Memorial donations may be directed to the St. Augustine Parish Center. Condolences to the family may be emailed to [email protected] Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK
