Obituary of Helen Marie Eifert

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Helen Eifert, beloved wife of Reverend Norman Eifert. Helen passed away peacefully at Rotary Manor, Dawson Creek, B.C. on Friday, January 31, 2014 surrounded by family at the age of 87 years. Helen was born on January 18, 1927 to John and Marie Hirsekorn of Kipling, Saskatchewan. She was the second of five daughters. Helen was baptized on February 3, 1927 and confirmed her faith on May 3, 1942. Her childhood was spent in Kipling; where she lived on a farm for 11 years. Her family later moved to Regina, where she attended Luther College. After school, Helen moved to Calgary where she worked as a bookkeeper for GM. She met her future husband, Rev. Norman Eifert at Killarney Lutheran Church (now Grace Lutheran Church), where one of her friends had "volunteered" her to teach Sunday school. They were married on July 19, 1952. Their three daughters; Barbara, Debora and Dorothy were all born in Calgary. Over the years the family lived in; Camrose, Alberta, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and in Surrey, British Columbia. Norman and Helen eventually retired to Dawson Creek in 2002. Helen devoted her life to supporting her husband in his ministry, to raising and encouraging her children in all their endeavours, and to building and passing on a legacy of much-loved (and much-replicated) recipes. Once her daughters were older, Helen worked part-time in the Children's Department at Sears for 18 years. Helen and Norman were blessed with nearly 62 years of marriage. Their deep love, respect, and commitment to each other in Christ has left a lasting impression on us all. Helen was predeceased by her daughter Debora in 1995 and her eldest sister Ester in 2002. Helen is survived by her devoted husband Norman, her daughters; Barbara (John) Russell and Dorothy (John) Bartlett, her six grandchildren; Rev. Stephen Bartlett, Alex Bartlett, Kaitlin Russell, Robert Bartlett, Jamie Russell and David Bartlett, her sisters; Ruth Armitage, Irene (Don) Nerenhausen, and Arline Nikolaj, her brother-in-law Clare Brooks, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. A funeral service was held on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 2:00 pm. Reverend Noel Smith officiated. Helen will be laid to rest next to her daughter, Debbie in Valley View Memorial Gardens, Surrey, B.C. For friends so wishing donations may be made in memory of Helen to Concordia Lutheran Seminary 7040 Ada Blvd. N.W., Edmonton, AB T5B 4E3. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium