Helmut Bruno Paul Menzel:
July 19, 1923 - March 21, 2013
It is with saddened hearts we announce the death of Mr. Helmut Bruno Paul Menzel of Saskatoon, SK, (and formerly of Humboldt, SK), on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon. He was 89 years of age. Helmut was born on July 19, 1923, to Paul and Erna (nee Mattig) Menzel at Neurode, Schlesien, Germany. He attended the Evangelical Lutheran School in Neurode, Germany, from 1930 to 1938. From 1939 to 1941, he furthered his education by taking the machinist apprenticeship program. In 1941, Helmut joined the German Navy and served until the war ended in 1945. In 1946, he moved to West Germany, where he met the love of his life, Hanna Kyrath, a couple years after moving there. Helmut married Hanna in June 1949. Their first born son, Ted, was born in West Germany. To make a better life for his family, Helmut immigrated to Canada. Three days after his arrival, he started working as a machinist and welder at Kopperud's Machine Shop in Humboldt. When Ted was four months old, Hanna and her infant son boarded a ship and joined Helmut in Canada. Three more sons were born to Helmut and Hanna in Canada: William, Helmut Jr., and Ronald. Over the years, Helmut also worked with Brockman's Service in Humboldt with Henry and Arnie Brockman, at Al's Welding in Muenster, SK, and finally, at Schulte's Industries in Englefeld, SK. In 1994, he retired at the age of 71 years. Helmut was very involved with his children, the German Heritage Society, and also served with the church council at St. John's Lutheran Church in Humboldt years before the new church was built. He enjoyed going to Waskesiu, and loved the outdoors, being among the trees, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Helmut and Hanna traveled to Mexico for quite a few years, and he really enjoyed those trips. At home, many enjoyable hours were spent meticulously tending to his yard and garden, which were his pride and joy. Helmut will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 63 years, Hanna (nee Kyrath) Menzel; three sons, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Ted (Connie) Menzel and family, Shauna (Ed) Pacik and sons Dyllan and Brayden, all of Saskatoon, Ryan (Megan) Menzel and son Eli of Regina, SK, and Layne Menzel of Saskatoon; Helmut Menzel Jr. of Humboldt and family, Cory (Lisa) Menzel of Camrose, AB, and sons Andrew and Stephen, and Krista (Gordon) Stewart of Edmonton, AB; and Ronald Menzel of Estevan, SK, and family, Barry and Aaron; and William's family: Devin Menzel of Big River, SK, and Shannon Menzel of Edmonton, AB; one sister: Margot Menzel of Belgium, Europe; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Erna (nee Mattig) Menzel; one son, William Menzel (July 25, 1985); one sister, Inge; and one brother, Willie, both of Germany. The Funeral Service for Helmut will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Humboldt, on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Robert Grout. Urnbearers will be Ryan Menzel, Cory Menzel, Shauna and Ed Pacik, Layne Menzel and Krista Stewart. Interment will follow at Humboldt Public Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
