On Saturday, July 6, 2013, Helen Irene Wallewein passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan. Mom was born on September 3, 1937, near Weyburn. She was the seventh child in a family of nine. During that era, there was little money to buy things, and Mom remembers helping her own mother to sew clothes, preserve vegetables, and generally make from scratch all of the basic needs required. In 1956, after graduating from high school, she began working at the Saskatchewan Hospital becoming a fully certified psychiatric nurse. Helen married Gilbert Wallewein, on April 27, 1963, and this spring they celebrated 50 years of marriage. They lived in a tiny trailer in Weyburn until 1966, when they moved to our family farm northwest of Benson. The first years of farming were difficult, but Mom and Dad persevered and good years followed. Mom loved gardening and made sure to plant enough produce to feed our family, relatives, and many of our neighbours. The cukes were used for her legendary garlic dill pickles. Mom enjoyed raising chickens, and we always had fresh eggs for sale. Mom absolutely loved to dance, so family weddings, and New Years parties were some of her favorite occasions. A tribute to Ma would never be complete without mentioning her 'meals on wheels to the field'. During seeding and harvest, she would deliver a hot meal to everyone out in the field. As we kids grew, Mom worked part-time at the New Hope Pioneer Lodge in Stoughton, and then full-time as a psychiatric nurse back at Souris Valley Extended Care in Weyburn. She had a special talent for working with the most vulnerable people in our world - those suffering from mental illness. Mom made their world a better place by always treating her patients with kindness and dignity. Her strong faith led her to volunteer countless hours, both in the community of Benson and at Sacred Heart Church. She loved having everyone gather at the farm for Sunday supper, and she always made time to sit down and play cards. The grandkids all played "Steal the Pack", a game Grandma invented. Grandma had the best stocked pantry and no grandchild EVER left the farm without some candies for the ride home. She retired from nursing in 2002, and Mom and Dad moved to Estevan just a few years ago. In 2011, the Walleweins were honoured to be selected as the Farm Family of the Year, and Mom's contributions were instrumental in making our farming operation the success that it remains today. Mom's final days were spent living in Hillview Manor, and we are so very thankful to Eunice Massett and the rest of the staff at Hillview for the wonderful care she received while there. Her funeral mass was held on Wednesday, July 10, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Peter Nijssen as the celebrant. Interment followed at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens. Though it is hard not to have a heavy heart in times like these, Mom was a woman of devout faith, and we know she is dancing at Heaven's Gates. She is survived by Gilbert, her husband of 50 years; her children, Ken (Julie-Anne) Riley and Reagan of Estevan; Kevin (Brenda) Alyssa, Kelsey, Lucas, and Olivia of Estevan; Loretta Kot (Blaise) Kyle, Austin, Madison, and Jada of Weyburn; Lynn Matthies (Mark) Calvin, Logan, Michaella of Estevan; Debbie Hoffort (Steven) Brie and Matthew of Calgary; and Denise Morstad (Darryl) Kate, Jayne, John of Grand Coulee; two brothers, Hilarion Pohl (Beth) and Vernon Pohl (Faye) both of Weyburn.Mom was predeceased by her parents, Max and Regena Pohl; brothers, Ervin and Harold; and sisters, Mary Ann, Dorothy, Margaret and Phyllis. If friends so desire, donations may be given to The Arthritis Society or the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home (Hearthstone Community Campaign). Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Thank You: On behalf of the Wallewein Family, a special thanks to all the people who provided their thoughts and prayers during this time, as we grieve the loss of Helen, wife, mother, and grandmother. Thank you to the staff of Hillview Manor and St. Joseph's Hospital for her care over the last number of months; to everyone, who contributed to mom's funeral in anyway; to the Catholic women, who provided the lunch; and to everyone who dropped off food and flowers at the house. All of this is very deeply appreciated.
