Evelyn Kay Helzer
June 18th, 2022
HELZER, Evelyn Kay
Born: October 19, 1936, Crossfield, Alberta
Gathered to her people: June 18, 2022, Surrey, BC
Evelyn was born in the small prairie town of Crossfield in the midst of a bleak time – the era that came to be known as The Great Depression. Yet her parents, Ruth, and Ellis Banta, joyfully welcomed their beloved third daughter. The family grew to include four daughters and two sons, and they all worked together on a mixed farm, surviving hard times with faith, gratitude, and the support of community. Crossfield was also the home of a handsome young man named Harold, and the two became sweethearts when Evelyn was fifteen. Independent and progressive, she enjoyed many adventures before she and Harold married in 1959 and began their own family story. Evelyn became an extraordinary mother to four kids of her own, and a second mother to many others. In the late 1970s, Harold and Evelyn relocated the family to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Evelyn rose to the challenge of a completely new life with good cheer and optimism, helping her family navigate many challenges, the greatest being the tragic loss of her and Harold’s only son Jeff in 1991. Evelyn’s faith in Jesus was the foundation of a life lived with a gracious heart for people, especially those on the margins. Her door was always open, and countless friends gathered for great chats, joyful laughter, thoughtful Bible studies and pots of tea. She leaves a legacy of courage, steadfastness and forgiving love to her lifelong sojourner Harold, her children Sandra (Gorman), Lori (Malone), Bonnie (Zoboski), grand and great grandchildren, and to extended family and friends. She is grieved tremendously, and yet we celebrate her new life in heaven where she forever lives in the presence of her trustworthy Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please share your memories of Evelyn here, and if you so choose, make a donation in her name to a charity of your choice. Thank you. ~Evelyn’s Family
Messages:
Missing mom so much. I made cookies yesterday and thought about the thousands of cookies that Evelyn made for her children, her grandchildren, Maple Springs Bible campers and many friends.
To Dear Harold, Sandra, Lori, Bonnie and families, We all, (including my siblings and families) are very sorry for the sudden loss of your/our sweet Evelyn. She was always a wonderful, loving, caring and fun friend to have to our sister Pearl and her late husband Ron and us. I will definitely miss her and my chats and visits. Evelyn you are an Angel and now you are sitting at our Lord and Savior's table. Keep watching over your family and friends
So very sorry to hear of your Mom's sudden passing. It was an honour to have got to know her and your Dad. They were/are very good friends to my sister Pearl and her late husband Ron Edwards. It is a very nice tribute you did for her. God bless you all.
Condolences to all of you. Evelyn was a wonderful aunt. We spent many hours hanging out as children. My thoughts will be with you all during the celebration of her life.
Evelyn was a wonderful friend of 63 years. We we’re able to keep in contact with visiting, telephone calls and FaceTime over the years. She so loved her family and was thrilled to meet and hold her new great granddaughters. We will miss her so much but know she is where she wanted to be.
So heartwarming to read what Grandma meant to so many. Her love continues on and I’m so honoured to be part of her legacy. I never knew my Grandma on my fathers side so Grandma played a huge role in my life. Her perseverance through tough times and ability to see the hope in the darkest times was an inspiration to me. I have so many memories as a child of playing with Grandma and enjoying her unique special snacks. As I’ve grown older I found myself calling up Grandma for chats and to gain from her wisdom and endless love. Her belief and love for her family still reverberates and on tough days I hear her voice in my head reminding me “your made of good stuff.” I miss you Grandma and I’m so grateful because of your trust in our Lord Saviour I know without a doubt your finally resting in peace and joy. Until we meet again