Helen (Kondra) Yarema

Helen Yarema passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on the morning of January 13, 2022 at the age of 94 at St. Paul's Personal Care Home in Dauphin, MB.

Helen was born in Valley River on the farm on November 23, 1927 to Wasyl and Dora Kondra (Shewchuk).  She attended Trembowla School and then high school in Dauphin.  Her mother took sick so she couldn't finish her high school, she had to stay home to help with housework and chores.  Later she took employment at the Hamilton Hotel (Towers).  In early 1950 she met Peter Yarema and they were married November 3, 1951.  She farmed with her husband until 1976 when her son Willie got married, he took over the farm than they moved to town.  Mom / Baba took employment at the Boulevard and Towers Hotel for 15 years.  She also took care of her parents till they passed away.  She was a member of the Valley River town church and also of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection.  She was in the sisterhood for over 50 years and a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League.  She helped in the church, cleaning and with the league serving funeral lunches, weddings and banquets, where ever help was needed until she was unable to get around.  She was a hard worker on the farm and in town she always planted a big garden and like to share with family or people that didn't have any.  She always had flowers planted by her house and flower baskets hanging.  

Mom /Baba will be remembered by her family and friends as a good cook.  She liked to entertain people.  Nobody left her home hungry, she made homemade bread, cinnamon buns, doughnuts, pies, perogies, cabbage rolls and shared with her family.  Her home was opened to all.  She was very proud of her children and grandchildren.  She never refused to baby sit her grandchildren.  She loved them very much.  Mom/Baba was kind hearted and always supportive to her family.  She made patch work quilts and afghans.  On the farm she worked very hard  along with her husband doing chores and work around the yard and at times on the field, stooking, baling, hauling bales and grain from the combine.  There wasn't anything she couldn't do other than seeding and combining.

Mom/Baba was welcomed to a grand celebration in her honour by her loved ones who predeceased her. By her loving husband Peter (2005), her father Wasyl (1978), and mother Eudokia (Dora) (1988).  As well as her young brother Freddie and infant sister Mary, brother John and wife Ann, brother Phillip and wife Mary, sister-in-law Nellie and husband Charlie Blank, sister-in-law Pauline and husband Walter Ozechowski.

She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory her children, Willie and wife Evelyn, Irene and husband Scott Whitwell; grandchildren, Jennifer (Brad) Ewankiw, Daryl (Mia) Yarema, and Bradyn Yarema; great grandchildren Avery and Alex Ewankiw, Portia and Yael Yarema; along with several nieces and nephews.

We will all miss her dearly!   Vichnaya Pamyat,  Eternal Memory.

The family would like to thank St. Paul's PCH for their care. To all our family and friends for their texts, calls, cards, visits and gifts of food and special items.  We would also like acknowledge Nettie Nakonechny Mom's coffee buddy/driver and the coffee gang at Tim Horton's, Mom's Hang Out!   Father Oleg Bodnarski for giving Mom her last rites and for the beautiful funeral service. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services for looking after arrangements.

A Funeral Service was held for Helen on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10:30 am from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin.  

Cross bearer was Avery Ewankiw.  Pallbearers were Bradyn Yarema, Daryl Yarema, Jennifer Ewankiw, Brad Ewankiw, Bill Kondra, Glen Chura.

In keeping with the current public health orders guests provided proof of vaccination to attend the service.

The service was live streamed for those unable to attend, click on the link below.

Interment followed in the Riverside Cemetery Dauphin.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Helen may be made to Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Trembola Cross of Freedom or Charity of Choice.

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