In Memory of Aunt Helma Parkins

On January 22 of this year our Aunt Ruth Geving passed away.  This week we got word that the only remaining member of the Hans Haaland family, Aunt Helma Parkins, passed away last Friday, February 25.  The last two sisters died just over a month apart leaving us with no aunts or uncles.  It is strange to become one of the senior members of this family, as all of us cousins are now.  There will be a memorial service at the Innisfail United Church on Sunday, May 15.  Howard and I are planning to attend, then take in the 17th of May celebrations in Frontier on our way home.  I am hoping that several of the Haaland cousins will be able to attend as well.  The last Haaland reunion was in 1952 so this family didn't get together very often.  Maybe our generation can do better.  Some of the cousins don't even know each other, which is sad in this day and age.  That is due in part to the wide range in ages, from 84 to 54.


Aunt Helma was born on May 9, 1914  shortly after the family moved to Canada from the US, and before they had a home of their own.  She was one of the first babies born in this district south of Climax, SK.  For some reason, she wasn't given a second name.  Maybe it's just as well as her two  younger sisters were named Hulda Svanhild and Ruth Bergliot.  Those second names were never family favourites and no children or grandchildren were ever given those names!


Helma married Harry Reep Parkins (aka Jimmy) on October 28, 1932.  They raised a family of three children.  Raymond Harry was born in 1933, Rosalie Hulda in 1934 and Melford William in 1936.  Sadly, Rosalie is the only surviving one.


I'm so glad that Howard and I took Mom and Dad to Edmonton in 1982 to celebrate Helma and Jimmy's 50th wedding anniversary.  Mom suffered a massive heart attack the next year and was no longer able to travel after that until her passing in 1984.


Aunt Helma always seemed to be the weakest of the five sisters.  Little did we know that she would outlive them all, just three months short of her 97th birthday.  She took good care of herself, went for a daily walk even when she had to do so with the aid of a walker.  She kept up with her extended family, sending birthday and Christmas greetings as long as she was able to write. She had been in a nursing home the last while, looked forward to visits from daughter Rosalie who would bring her favourite Tim Hortons coffee along with Timbits for the residents. Another treat for her was McDonald french fries - much better than the pureed food she was getting!  Rosalie had signed a waiver so her mother could enjoy a "real" Christmas dinner at the home instead of the usual pureed meal.


I remember early visits to their home at Innisfail, AB, where Uncle Jimmy worked as a mechanic.  We were quite impressed by our Parkins cousins as they were good swimmers and worked summers as lifeguards at the local swimming pool.  I never did learn to swim!  We lived far from any swimming pool and the closest swimming hole was the White Mud River between Climax and Shaunavon.


Helma and Jimmy lived in Calgary for a time, also near Bowden and then in Edmonton where they retired. Aunt Helma  did housekeeping work for hotels.  When Uncle Jimmy passed away, Aunt Helma remained in their apartment  until she moved to a seniors home in Innisfail.  Daughter Rosalie and Charles Dallas were on the farm just five miles away.  Grandchildren and then great grandchildren were faithful visitors.  Aunt Helma was loved by all.


I have a couple pictures of our last visit with Aunt Helma so will add them here.

With Aunt Helma at Autumn Glen Lodge
Innisfail, Alberta  2007

I have many pictures of the Parkins family so will scan some with my new scanner and add them when I get back to the farm after our winter months in Weyburn.