Helena "Helen" Redies Gans

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Helena (Helen) Ens Redies Gans, who died peacefully at the age of 91 on April 21, 2026, in Parksville, British Columbia.

Helena Ens was born to Maria and Abram Ens on May 17, 1934, in Truax, Saskatchewan. Helena’s parents were grain farmers — Mennonites who had emigrated to Canada during the Bolshevik Revolution, part of a longer journey that began generations earlier when their ancestors settled in Ukraine during the reign of Catherine the Great in search of religious freedom.

Life on the prairies during the Dirty Thirties was harsh, and after enduring repeated droughts, the Ens family left grain farming and relocated to Coaldale, Alberta. There, they survived through subsistence farming, living simply and relying on what they could grow and raise themselves. Helena— Lena to her family—grew up in this environment alongside her three sisters (Mary, Nettie or ‘Nita’, and Margaret) and five brothers (Abe, Henry, George, Jake and David).

As the youngest daughter, Helena was expected to remain at home to care for her parents. However, she was independent in spirit and chose a different path. Taking advantage of a regional teaching shortage, she earned her teaching certificate after a year of study in Calgary—funded through her own determination—and began her career shortly thereafter. It was during this time that she began going by Helen.

Helen taught in rural communities around Lethbridge, including Coalhurst and Magrath, most often teaching Grades 2 and 3. For many years, she lived in Lethbridge with her sister Margaret and spent her summers in Edmonton with her sister Nita, continuing her university studies through summer school to obtain her Bachelor of Education. Outside of work, she enjoyed bowling and playing cards with friends, including Albert and Blanche Stuckart. It was through these friendships, at a dance at the German-Canadian Club, that she met Helmut Redies.

Helen and Helmut’s romance was swift, and they were married on Boxing Day in 1966. Together they built their first home in Lethbridge, funded largely by Helen’s years of saving. She often joked that with her new initials, she had gone from “HE” to “HER.”

They welcomed their son Darren in April 1969, and their daughter Janet in November 1970. The family lived in Lethbridge, spent several years in Medicine Hat, and eventually returned to Lethbridge before making a major life change, relocating to Vancouver Island where they built a new home in Columbia Beach between Parksville and Qualicum. The home was completed in 1982, marking a new chapter for the family on the coast.

Family life was active, filled with time on the water, lawn bowling in the summer, and curling in the winter, while their children completed school in nearby Qualicum. In 1987, Helen and Helmut began building another home, this time overlooking the water in Nanaimo.

Tragically, Helmut’s health declined, and he passed away on March 22, 1990, due to complications from liver and lung cancer. Helen sold their home but chose to remain in the community, purchasing a smaller house nearby as she began navigating life on her own.

In time, companionship and love returned to her life. Leo Gans, who had lost his wife in a tragic motor vehicle accident in Yugoslavia, reconnected with Helen during a period of shared grief. Their friendship deepened into love, and they were married in 1992. Helen moved to Edmonton to begin this new chapter with Leo.

Together, Helen and Leo built a life rich in travel and family. They wintered in Puerto Vallarta and explored the world on numerous cruises. Their blended family grew close despite geographic distance, and Helen embraced her role as grandmother to Carmen and Sophie, daughters of Kevin and Anna Gans, and Jacob and Isaac, sons of Ronald and Michelle Gans.

In 2003, Leo was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away in 2004, leaving Helen widowed for a second time. Once again, she showed resilience, choosing to return to Vancouver Island, this time settling in Victoria.

As she did not drive, Helen carefully chose a home in the Inner Harbour area where she could walk to everything she needed. There, she built a vibrant and fulfilling life. She volunteered at her church thrift store, practiced tai chi, attended the YMCA, participated in a book club, and remained active in lawn bowling. She also enjoyed attending performances at the Royal Theatre and continued her trips to Mexico for many years with Leo’s daughter, Lucille.

During this time, her family grew further with the arrival of three more grandchildren: Matthew and Nathan, sons of Darren and Allison Redies, and Thomas, son of Janet and Neil Backs.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Helen was in Puerto Vallarta with Lucille. Upon returning home, the lockdowns significantly curtailed the active social life she so valued. Fortunately, her daughter Janet and stepsons Colin and Kevin lived nearby and provided support.

As her ability to live independently declined, Helen made one final move in 2023, relocating with Janet to Qualicum Beach. There, she spent her final years close to the community where she had once raised her family. She remained active for as long as she could, continuing her daily walks.

After successfully navigating breast cancer early in 2025, in March 2026 her health took a sudden turn. Helen developed lymphoma which progressed rapidly. She went into hospital on April 1 and then to Oceanside Hospice on April 9, where she passed away on April 21, 2026.

Helen touched many lives with her resilience, independence, and warmth. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and her family will forever cherish the memories they shared with her.

Helen was a strong supporter of many charities throughout her lifetime and, in lieu of flowers, she asked that people remember her by donating to Habitat for Humanity or to the Canadian Cancer Society.