Helene Wiens (nee Renpenning)

It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of Helene Wiens on April 4, 2026 at the age of 85 years. Surrounded by family, her passing was sudden but peaceful.

She is predeceased by her husband Jakob of 55 years, daughter Lili Woodward, parents Jacob and Katharina Renpenning, her four siblings, two brothers-in-law, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Jake Wiens, Annie (Scott) Shaw, Liz (D’Arcy) Price, Tina (James) Richardson, son-in-law David Woodward, and grandchildren Ethan, Nathaniel (Emily), Samuel, Payton, Jesse, Lucas, Aaron, Charlie, Josiah, Isabella, Kaleb, and Ryley, and her sister-in-law and nieces and nephews in Germany.

Mom was born into a time of great hardship during WWII and immigrated to Canada in 1973 with her husband and 3 small children. It was the hope of a better life for her children that led Mom to follow her own mother across the ocean and settle in Winnipeg. Mom’s father had been torn from his family when mom was young. This journey would finally reunite them after being separated for 30 years.

Within a few years, mom and dad had two more children and the days were full, as only raising a family can be. To mom, family was everything. She dedicated her life to taking care of us as well as her parents who lived just down the street. Meals were wholesome and everything was homemade. She loved when the whole family was home and everyone was around the dining room table. She enjoyed hearing about what everyone was up to and always asked, “tell me something.”

Mom’s faith was always an important part of her life. Whether it was taking us to Sunday school or leading our brief prayer before meals and bedtime, she modeled these lessons that stayed with us. She loved attending church services in Portage these last few years and enjoyed the fellowship and visiting with everyone. Her quiet presence will be greatly missed. We love you mom. Wo die sterne leuchten, dort werden wir uns wieder sehn.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 11:30 am at Rock Christian Assembly, 125 4 Avenue NE, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made in Helene’s memory to the The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com