It is with great sadness that our family announces the sudden passing on June 26, 2000 of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Helen (Blatz) Kehler, age 73 years of Steinbach, Man. Mother will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by one daughter Carol Penner (Jim) and two sons, Murray (Joanna) and Wayne (Sandi), all of Steinbach; grandchildren, Lorie and Allan, Brad and Becky, Dillon and Janey, Maegon, Samantha, Jorden and Reegan; and great-grandchildren, Kara and Kas, four brothers, four sisters, numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.Mother was predeceased by her husband Jake, mother, father, one brother and two sisters. Mom was born on March 7, 1927 in Steinbach, Man. to Andreas and Katherina (Funk) Blatz. She left Steinbach in her teens to work in a canning factory in southeastern Ontario, but soon returned to Manitoba to work at St. Boniface Hospital in the dietary deptartment. On August 10, 1947 Mom and Dad were married. Mom and Dad originally settled in Steinbach then moved to Pine Falls returning to Steinbach where they raised their three children. Mom spent her married life as a homemaker. Her creative talents were expressed through many hobbies and skills; these include gardening, interior decorating, sewing, paper tole and her unforgettable cooking. Hers was a life of sacrifice and determination, that her family would have a better life. Thank you, Mom. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Steinbach Chortizer Mennonite Church with interment at the Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach. Viewing will be held on Friday, June 30 between 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Loewen Funeral Chapel and at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Moms memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, World Vision and Steinbach Palliative Foundation.
