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| Aunt Helma Haaland Parkins May 9, 1914 - Feb.25, 2011 |
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Mareena, Sandra, Mandy |
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Grandma Sandra with Nola and Megan |
After a lovely lunch served by the ladies of the Innisfail United Church there was a time of sharing. Rosalie's son, Cal, read his Grandma's obituary. Aunt Helma passed away on February 25, less than three months short of her 97th birthday. Sadly, she was predeceased by her two sons, Melford and Raymond Parkins and a granddaughter, Linda (Melford's daughter). She was dearly loved by her family and so proud of each grandchild, their spouses and then the great grandchildren. We took pictures but I can't put names on all her great grandchildren and had to check with Rosalie to be sure I had the right names on her daughters.
Many of Aunt Helma's photo albums were on display. Sandra and I enjoyed looking through them and saw many familiar pictures, including the one of the four Erickson "kids" taken in Oregon in 1954. These pictures were all special to Aunt Helma. Also on display was a beautiful flower arrangement from our cousins, Melodie and Coralie, beside a picture of Aunt Helma that was taken on her 96th birthday.
Helma was the longest living of the eight children of Hans and Bertha Haaland. Five of her siblings never got past the age of 70 years. The oldest son, Morris died of cancer on Dec. 21, 1944 at the age of 41. Herb died as the result of a car accident in BC on July 4, 1968 at the age of 51. On Feb. 3, 1976 John passed away a few days after his 70th birthday. He suffered a heart attack shortly after returning from a trip to Norway. Camilla also died not long after coming home from a trip to Norway. She passed away at the age of 70 on Aug. 19, 1979 after suffering a heart attack. Our mother, Hulda, died on Nov. 4, 1984 at the age of 65 a year after suffering a massive heart attack.
Finally, three of the siblings lived to reach the eighties and nineties. Marie died on March 4, 2002 at the age of 90. Ruth, the youngest in this family, died on Jan. 22, 2011 at the age of 89, followed by Helma on Feb. 25 at the age of 96. Blessed be the memories of these beloved family members.
The Haaland family has not been a close family over the years so it was special to be together with Aunt Helma's family to celebrate her life. Aunt Helma was one who excelled at keeping in touch with family. As long as she could write or make phone calls she kept in touch with many of us on birthdays and at Christmas. She never sent a card unless she added a personal greeting along with it. Here are some pictures taken on May 15th.
I just talked to Rosalie this morning. She still has the lovely bouquet on her counter. Brad finished "mudding the crop in" last night and now it's raining again, much like southern Saskatchewan.
Many of Aunt Helma's photo albums were on display. Sandra and I enjoyed looking through them and saw many familiar pictures, including the one of the four Erickson "kids" taken in Oregon in 1954. These pictures were all special to Aunt Helma. Also on display was a beautiful flower arrangement from our cousins, Melodie and Coralie, beside a picture of Aunt Helma that was taken on her 96th birthday.
Helma was the longest living of the eight children of Hans and Bertha Haaland. Five of her siblings never got past the age of 70 years. The oldest son, Morris died of cancer on Dec. 21, 1944 at the age of 41. Herb died as the result of a car accident in BC on July 4, 1968 at the age of 51. On Feb. 3, 1976 John passed away a few days after his 70th birthday. He suffered a heart attack shortly after returning from a trip to Norway. Camilla also died not long after coming home from a trip to Norway. She passed away at the age of 70 on Aug. 19, 1979 after suffering a heart attack. Our mother, Hulda, died on Nov. 4, 1984 at the age of 65 a year after suffering a massive heart attack.
Finally, three of the siblings lived to reach the eighties and nineties. Marie died on March 4, 2002 at the age of 90. Ruth, the youngest in this family, died on Jan. 22, 2011 at the age of 89, followed by Helma on Feb. 25 at the age of 96. Blessed be the memories of these beloved family members.
The Haaland family has not been a close family over the years so it was special to be together with Aunt Helma's family to celebrate her life. Aunt Helma was one who excelled at keeping in touch with family. As long as she could write or make phone calls she kept in touch with many of us on birthdays and at Christmas. She never sent a card unless she added a personal greeting along with it. Here are some pictures taken on May 15th.
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| Brad, Shelley, Rosalie, Charles, Gail , Cal |
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| Helma's grandchildren Brad Dallas, Guy Parkins, Lisa Parkins Fellows, Shelly Dallas Smith, Gail Dallas Kasko, Cal Dallas Raymond's son, Matt was not able to be there |
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| Some of Helma's great-grandchildren |
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