Obituary for Helene Murdoch
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Peacefully, with family by her side, Helene passed away in the early morning of Monday, March 25, 2024, at Bethania Personal Care Home.
Helene was predeceased by brothers Ernie (Mary), John (Elsie); former husband Harry Enns; husband Dean Murdoch; a son, David Enns; and a stepdaughter, Charlene Murdoch.
Helene is survived by her brother Victor Klassen (Lorraine, deceased); son’s Nathan Enns (Kate), and Andrew Enns (Lori); Dean’s children, Robert Murdoch (Susan), Heather Williams (Bob), Diane Semper (Rick); 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in Winnipeg, Helene was the only daughter of parents, John J and Lola Klassen and had a pleasant childhood growing up in an increasingly affluent household. Married at age 19 to Harry Enns, Mom had two children in Winnipeg before moving to the south Interlake town of Woodlands in 1963 where she spent the next 15 years enjoying country life as the wife of a cattle rancher / politician.
Mom's marriage to Harry ended in 1977. She moved to Calgary to work with Thomas Cook Travel, a job that she enjoyed very much as it made good use of her networking and organizational skills and her joy of travel.
In 1981 she met Dean Murdoch and moved back to Winnipeg. They were married in 1983. Shortly thereafter they bought an empty lot on Channel Island in Lake of the Woods and over the next several years built a beautiful cottage. These were very happy times for mom; while she enjoyed the solitude of being at the lake, she was happiest to have family come for visits. Watching the “kids” (Dean included) jump off the dock or catch crayfish using bits of bacon was always a highlight.
Mom, Oma or “Tante Leni” as she was known as, will be best remembered as being loving and elegant, overly generous with her gifts, (her shopping skills were legendary!) and having impeccable taste in all things related to cooking, wardrobe and decorating.
Mom loved to read and in her later years would be happy reading the daily newspaper and doing crossword puzzles.
A funeral service is scheduled for April 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at First Mennonite Church – 922 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg.
Special thanks to the many committed caregivers at Bethania for making our mother’s final time with us comfortable.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada or an alternate charity of your choosing.
Peacefully, with family by her side, Helene passed away in the early morning of Monday, March 25, 2024, at Bethania Personal Care Home.
Helene was predeceased by brothers Ernie (Mary), John (Elsie); former husband Harry Enns; husband Dean Murdoch; a son, David Enns; and a stepdaughter, Charlene Murdoch.
Helene is survived by her brother Victor Klassen (Lorraine, deceased); son’s Nathan Enns (Kate), and Andrew Enns (Lori); Dean’s children, Robert Murdoch (Susan), Heather Williams (Bob), Diane Semper (Rick); 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in Winnipeg, Helene was the only daughter of parents, John J and Lola Klassen and had a pleasant childhood growing up in an increasingly affluent household. Married at age 19 to Harry Enns, Mom had two children in Winnipeg before moving to the south Interlake town of Woodlands in 1963 where she spent the next 15 years enjoying country life as the wife of a cattle rancher / politician.
Mom's marriage to Harry ended in 1977. She moved to Calgary to work with Thomas Cook Travel, a job that she enjoyed very much as it made good use of her networking and organizational skills and her joy of travel.
In 1981 she met Dean Murdoch and moved back to Winnipeg. They were married in 1983. Shortly thereafter they bought an empty lot on Channel Island in Lake of the Woods and over the next several years built a beautiful cottage. These were very happy times for mom; while she enjoyed the solitude of being at the lake, she was happiest to have family come for visits. Watching the “kids” (Dean included) jump off the dock or catch crayfish using bits of bacon was always a highlight.
Mom, Oma or “Tante Leni” as she was known as, will be best remembered as being loving and elegant, overly generous with her gifts, (her shopping skills were legendary!) and having impeccable taste in all things related to cooking, wardrobe and decorating.
Mom loved to read and in her later years would be happy reading the daily newspaper and doing crossword puzzles.
A funeral service is scheduled for April 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at First Mennonite Church – 922 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg.
Special thanks to the many committed caregivers at Bethania for making our mother’s final time with us comfortable.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada or an alternate charity of your choosing.