Obituary of Helena Cornelson

CORNELSON – (Helena) Lena Cornelson of Herbert, SK passed away on March 19, 2016 just before her 81st birthday due to complications of ALS. Lena was born on March 24, 1935 at Herbert, the third of nine children. She received her education at Cruikshank and Capeland Schools. She had a happy childhood playing with her sisters and brothers. After completing her grade 8 she began working as a housekeeper at several different households. She met Norman Cornelson in 1953 while working for the Reimer’s and they were married on May 23, 1954. She worked at the Herbert Nursing Home for a short period of time after their marriage. They spent their first year’s together living in Success, Main Centre, Herbert and Gouldtown. The first of five children arrived in 1958, then in August 1959 they purchased his parents’ farm where they raised their family. She always had a big garden that was kept immaculately free of weeds. She always had a milk cow and chickens and sold many pints of cream and dozens of eggs to friends and neighbors. Lena worked hard all her life, raising the children, running the household, choring, gardening, canning and everything else that came with being a farm wife. They lived on the family farm until moving to Herbert in the fall of 2007. Because of Norman’s interest in rodeo, she also developed a love for it and attended and watched whenever possible. She enjoyed crocheting and made afghans for each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoyed building puzzles, listening to Johnny Reid, and watching her favorite TV programs. She tracked all visits and phone calls on her calendar and her children were reminded of this whenever the time between calls and visits were a little too lengthy! After Norman’s death in 2011 she joined the Seniors Group in Herbert and looked forward to those weekly outings as well as the ladies bingo nights. She always enjoyed going for coffee and faspa at the train station with her friends. In the summer of 2014 she acquired a scooter and had her first ‘set of wheels’! She enjoyed her newfound independence and being able to get around town without relying on anyone for a ride. Her health started to deteriorate in early 2015 and the diagnosis of ALS was made in August; however, she was able to stay in her home until November 19, 2015 when her illness forced her stay in the hospital and subsequent move to the Herbert Nursing Home in early January 2016. Despite her illness she was able to maintain a happy and positive outlook and always looked forward to visits from friends and family. We, the family, wish to thank those individuals that continued to visit her on a regular basis even when her ability to communicate became more and more difficult. Even with her limited mobility and strength she was still able to make up a batch of sauerkraut borscht for her brothers when they traveled down for a visit from Calgary last October. We’ll miss her pluma mousse, komst borscht, butter horns, matrimonial cake, buns, schmontt phatt (cream gravy), New Year’s cookies, cream puffs…. The list goes on and on. Lena is survived by her children – Brian, Corinne (Randal) Brown, Barry (Laura), Larry, Terry; grandchildren David (Aimee) Lemay, Evan (Shannon) Johnston, Levi (Jess Speir), Boone Cornelson, Kennedy Cornelson, Colt, Beau & Shane Cornelson; and great grandchildren Allan, Athena & Alessandra Lemay and Hayden Johnston; siblings: Aron Funk, Sarah Dueck, Tina (Wes) Cornelson, Mary (Henry) Dueck, Jake (Jeannette) Funk, Eva (Elmer) Dueck; in-laws Ben Petkau, Ernie (Olga) Cornelson, Harry (Leona) Cornelson, Jake (Betty) Cornelson, Dora (Gary) Gould, Loreen (Dave) Seymour. She was predeceased by her husband Norman on June 2, 2011, parents Jacob & Helena Funk, parents-in-law Jacob & Justina Cornelson, and family members Henry and Marie Funk, Muriel Funk, Anne Petkau, Frank Dueck, Wayne Dueck, Greg Funk, Abe and Betty Dyck. The funeral service was held on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. from the Living Faith Church in Herbert, SK. The interment was held at Gouldtown Cemetery prior to the service. Memorial donation may be made to the ALS Society – 90C Cavendish St. Regina, SK S4N 5G7. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit www.parksidefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were in care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home – Ryan Cappelle.