Helen Pankratz Krahn

Helen Krahn of Abbotsford, BC was ushered through the Gates of Heaven into the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on March 8, 2017, just 8 days prior to her 87th birthday. Helen was born to Jacob & Anna Pankratz on March 16, 1930 in Pitt Meadows, BC, the 4th of 6 children. She grew up and worked hard alongside her family throughout her life on their farm on Gladwin Road just north of South Fraser Way in Abbotsford, she completed grade 9 at Philip Sheffield School and as an adult she worked as a clerk at Modern Markets. On June 15, 1954 Helen married David Krahn, they settled on 100 acres on 8th Avenue in Aldergrove, BC where they raised their 4 children, Sandra born in 1955, Beverly in 1958, Patricia in 1961 and Eugene in 1970.

Helen loved her family and extended family; she served with a willing and loving heart opening their home to many family gatherings. She not only cared for her home and family well, she enjoyed her garden, fruit trees and acres of lawn mowing. She loved her church family at South Otter/Hillside in Aldergrove and Clearbrook MB in Abbotsford and faithfully served whenever an opportunity arose.

In 1972 David & Helen began as owner/operators of their successful gravel business, Krahn Gravel & Contracting on their property for nearly 20 years. David ran the equipment and Helen maintained a clean set of accounting records. In the early 1980’s they moved to 5 acres on 16th Avenue where Helen remained until her move into a condo in Abbotsford in 2006. Her last move was into the home of Rick & Sandy Friesen, with her oldest daughter in 2012. She passed away peacefully at home.

Helen is predeceased by her parents Jacob & Anna Pankratz; brothers Herman in infancy and Harry; sisters, Anne Sawatsky, Luella Dyck; and in 1992, her husband David.

Helen will be missed by her children Rick & Sandy Friesen, Lorne & Beverly Stobbe, Grant & Pat Fritzke and Gene & Vicky Krahn; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; brother Jake Pankratz, in-laws Welma Pankratz, Peter Sawatsky, Mary Krahn, Bill & Marie Giesbrecht and Jake & Helen Esau.

A Viewing will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 8:30 am at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford followed by a Graveside Service at 9:30 am at the Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Clearbrook MB Church, 2719 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.