Helmut Tiede

Helmut (Opa) was born in 1928 in the Ukraine under Russian rule and his family traveled extensively through Russia. He left Russia by himself at the age of 15, and was forcefully inducted into the German army to become a platoon cook. He survived to see Berlin firebombed at the end of the war and surrendered to the British Army.

As a war orphan he first lived as a farm hand, then learned to be a painter, which became his lifelong occupation.

He left Germany and immigrated to Canada, choosing to live in Windsor, Ontario, where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Roos (Oma). They had two children: Harold and Richard (Rick) and spent many wonderful holidays camping and travelling to their cottage in Port Franks. Harold married Cindy Pusse, and had two wonderful girls, Sasha and Heidi and Oma finally realised her dreams of helping to raise two girls. Opa realised his dreams later as they moved to Calgary, Alberta so he could be near mountains.

By then Rick had married Valerie Fendall, and Paul and Scott were born so she could again have two boys to help manage.

They were wonderful grandparents, with Oma spoiling the kids with her cooking and sewing, and Opa doing his best to cause mischief.

Oma sadly left us on March 14, 2020, after an unsuccessful operation to mend a broken hip.

Opa left us after a systemic infection left him too weak to survive after flirting with all the cute female doctors and nurses.

Opa will be missed as an incredibly tough person who loved life and the joy of living.

Helmut Tiede is lovingly survived by his son Richard Tiede (Valerie), and grandsons Paul Tiede (Alex White) and Scott Tiede (Breana Marks).

His two granddaughters, Sasha Tiede (Tod Gillis) and Heidi Tiede (Randy Pare) both now live in Chilliwack, BC. Sasha and Tod have a very cute daughter, Sage Gillis, and Heidi and Randy have a very sweet boy, Koleson Pare.

Helmut is predeceased by his son Harold (April 2, 2013), and his wife Elizabeth.

This obituary has been authorized by the family for posting on Foster’s Garden Chapel Funeral Home’s website. As such, it is protected against any reproduction or redistribution without prior consent from the family.