Bernice Elizabeth Helsoe

Bernice Elizabeth Helsoe (nee Rey) was born on September 6, 1933 and passed on October 5, 2023 after a bad fall. She was born in Melville, Saskatchewan to Anton and Sophie Rey. She was number three of six siblings: Helen, Walter, Bernie (her nickname), Margie, Eddy and Maryanne.

She was taught by the Huns in a Catholic school, then moved to Williams Lake where she met Ken and had Gordy in 1955. She met Kjell Helsoe from Norway and they were married on May 27, 1961. They had two daughters Karin, born in 1963 and Janice, born in 1964. They moved to Prince George during a very cold winter and had their third daughter Trine in 1966.

Bernice started working at School District #57 on the ‘monitor’ which listened into schools in case of fire, unlawful entry or vandalism. She later became a custodian until her retirement at 65 years of age. Her family moved to Norway in 1971 but moved back to Prince George in November 1973.

She started her “Stitch and Bitch” group and carried on for 35 years with friends Desta, Leona, Beth, Marion, Mary, Diane, Murt, Blanche, viva, Betty and Vi. She was a member of the Sons of Norway Lodge Rondane 71 at Six Mile Lake and met and became good friends with the Petersens, Smales, Nielsens, Itkonens, Aases, Lindquists and others. She stitched many wall hangings that will be enjoyed for many years to come. She was an avid card player of crib, canasta, shanghai rummy, and computer solitaire. She always watched tennis and had her favorites but wasn’t a fan of the one who ate grass at Wimbledon. She went to Vancouver to see her friend Vi on her 95th Birthday on December 27, 2019, with her son Ed, keeping her a surprise for Vi.

She moved to the Chateau in November 2019 because she was tired of dealing with the mowing, shoveling and wanted someone else to cook. She met some good friends there – Ethel, Fern, and Verna.

She is survived by her daughters, Karin, Janice (Bryan Keim), Trine (Mark Hoagland), granddaughter Randi (Tyler Whalan), grandsons David Hoagland and Steven Hoagland, great grandchildren Paige Whalan and Finlay Whalan, eldest sister Helen in Toronto and younger sister Margie (Bill) in 108 Mile House, many nieces and nephews in Norway and across Canada. She is predeceased by her husband Kjell, son Gordy, sister Maryanne and brothers Walter and Eddy.

On September 6th she celebrated her 90th birthday at Earl’s Restaurant and also met her retired physician Barry Hagen and his wife Thelma. She ate garlic bread and the rest of a large plate of calamari.

Thank you to her physicians, Drs. Grose, Klossen, Joss and Russell, for their help and care during a difficult time.