Our dear Mother, Helen, drifted to heaven on New Year's Day, while surrounded by her children. She had a quick and very peaceful passing with great opportunity for good-byes from her family. Helen Fandrick was born on August 21, 1920 in the German area of Poland to parents, Gottfried and Natalia (nee Kumke) Littwitz. Helen, like many thousands, endured and suffered the Great Depression and the horrors of World War II. In 1948, her brother, Bert Littwitz, who was living in Yorkton, sent her money to come to Canada and join him. Helen began her new life in Canada and married Gustav Fandrick in 1949. Farming together, she and Gustav built a strong family life. They were blessed with three children, Albert, Norman and Linda. Family and friends were her joy. Helen was a very social person and any neighbourhood gathering was a great source of fun and pleasure for her. She made sure to bring her share of good cooking to any event. On the farm, hard work often overshadows enjoyment but Helen always enjoyed the baby ducks and geese, the new calves and revelled in the promise of newness each spring. Gustav died in 1986 and Helen carried on farming on her own. In 1998, she moved to Yorkton and maintained a tidy house, open to anyone to drop in for coffee. The last few years of her life were spent at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home where she passed away on January 1, 2013 at the age of 92 years. Helen was predeceased by her siblings, Bert of Yorkton, SK as well as her parents, Gottfried and Natalia and her siblings back in Germany, Robert, Ewald, Gottfried, Olga and Leokada. She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her son, Albert (Gloria and family); her son, Norman (Karen); her daughter, Linda (Neil) Williams and her grandchildren, Sarah and Will Williams. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Fred Schneider officiating. The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling", "What a Friend we Have in Jesus", "Amazing Grace" and "Soon and Very Soon". Soloist, Ray Yost, shared one selection, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand". The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Ivan Toth, Arnold Toth, Eldon Conrad, Keith Conrad, Gary Devins and Alex Novak serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
