October 9, 1922 - December 19, 2018
Helen Marie (Battle) Bowen was born October 9, 1922 and passed December 19, 2018 in Stettler. Mom was born at home on the family farm during a time when the Italian (Angelozzi) grandparents were visiting. Mom started her schooling at Enterprise School and finished her schooling in Delia, Alberta. Mom loved the farm life. She was particularly fond of Grandpa's horses and working in the fields along with her brothers. Apparently she did this so Grandpa would let her play ball. This was one of the loves of her life. She was very proud of the fact that they were the youngest team in the Provincial Playoffs one year and came in second to a "much older" team. She also loved curling, camping, travelling, gardening, making jams and jellies (she won many ribbons at the fall fair for her cinnamon buns, jams/jellies and flowers) and belonging to the IODE, UCW (rummage sale in particular), Legion Auxiliary and canvassing.
She was very proud of Ivor's many years of involvement with the Castor Air Cadets and the young men and women who were part of it. Some of whom have kept in contact with her after they left Castor. She also immensely enjoyed her and Ivor's trips to Europe for various anniversaries of the end of WW2 which Ivor fought in. If you mentioned Vimy, Dieppe, or Normandy she would recount histories of these places (as they had visited them), and Ivor's memories of where he fought etc. and would haul out pictures and point out where they had been. Her memory and knowledge of almost anything was incredible.
After school Mom moved to Sylvan Lake and then to North Vancouver. Helen and I were born there in 1944 and 1942 respectively. We later moved to Youbou, BC and then back to Delia in 1952. Mom worked in the Co-Op Store in Delia until the end of June 1953 when we moved to Castor. Both herself and Ivor were employed by Ray Wiart, and later Guy, at the Magnet Store for many years. I believe for Mom it was almost 50 years. She remained in Castor until June of 2013 when she moved to Calgary. About a year later she moved to Paragon Place in Stettler and enjoyed her life there until she became ill during this past summer. She was residing at Points West in Stettler at the time of her passing.
Some of the highlights of her life were derived when the grandchildren arrived. They were "her boys" and she loved them dearly. Taking part in their activities from babies, to school children and into adulthood. She was so proud of all their accomplishments and the girls they chose to marry. She subsequently enjoyed the arrival of each of her great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She loved to take the "boys" camping with her or travelling to B.C. or other destinations. (They have some interesting stories to tell.) And quite often the Turner boys were involved in some of the activities. She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles (hiding the last piece was something she did all the time) Chinese Checkers (especially with Evan), Bridge and Yahtzee. She enjoyed Ivor's family and especially all the acquired nieces and nephews, many of whom have fond memories of "Auntie Helen".
She was an amazing lady and we all have fond memories of her and those who felt her wrath knew they had it coming.
Predeceased by her parents Felix 1982 and Irene 2002 at almost 100 years of age Battle, husband Ivor in 1992; siblings Evelyn (Battle) Dickie and brother Lester Battle; sister-in-law Betty Battle, brother in-law Art Keenan and most of Ivor's family; Helen is survived by daughters: Juanita (Cliff) Pruden and Helen (John) Jansen; step son David Bowen; grandsons: Trevor (Becky), Evan (Micky), Owen and Lorne (Bonnie) Blumhagen, Faron (Leanne) Ellis and John (Tracy) Jansen; granddaughters: Shawna, Laomey and Dawnese Jansen; great grandchildren: Amber, Ashley (Yani) Jazayeri, Nicole Blumhagen, Ryan Blumhagen, Elyse (Kurt) Lowe, Jenna (Quinton) Bell, Leah Blumhagen (Chance Abbott), Hillary Blumhagen (Elias Buwalda), Hanna Blumhagen and Austin Jansen; great great grandchildren: Emma and Hunter Blumhagen and Brady, Soren and Norah Jazeyeri step grandchildren: Scott (Dena) Pruden and Kim (Brian) Mann; step-great grandchildren Makayla, Cole and Carson Pruden; sisters: Alma Keenan, Geneva (Harvey) Seagrave, Gloria (Keith) Johnson and brothers: Jesse (Elsie) Battle and Wayne (Gina) Battle; brother-in-law Grant Baird and brother and sister-in-law Stan (Alma) Bowen as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She is going to be missed but she has left all of us with some terrific memories of a very feisty, independent and ambitious person.
Funeral services will be held for Helen on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in Knox United Church Castor, Alberta with Rev. Barbara Zimmerman officiating. The interment will take place in Castor Legion Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her husband Ivor. Luncheon will follow in the upper hall of Knox United Church prepared by the Knox United Church Women.
In memory of Helen memorial contributions may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, 1331 - 29 St. NW Calgary, AB T2N 4N2.