Tribute

passed away June 21, 2011 at the age of 95. She was born Nov. 17, 1915 in Russia in the Bermuel district of Siberia in the village of Schoenwiese to Franz and Elizabeth Unrau. Here she went to school until Grade 4 and in 1926 the family left Russia and headed for Canada where they settled in Morden, Man. Here she started school over again and took Grade 1. The family moved to Arden, Man. and she entered Grade 2, and shortly thereafter, the family moved to Youngstown, Alta. where she took Grade 2 and 3. In 1928 the family moved yet once again and settled in Margaret, Man. where she went to school for the last time because she had to stay home with her ailing mother and do the household chores for the family. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour at a young age and was baptized in 1932 in the Souris River, Man. In 1941 she met the Teichrob’s and John Teichrob was hired to work on the farm. She could not take her eyes off him and they secretly started sending mail to each other. They were married on June 26, 1943. John and Helen then farmed for 3 years in Minto, Man. before heading to B.C. in 1946 and settling on a small farm in Matsqui on Bell Rd. Here they joined the Matsqui M.B. Church and Helen got involved as a Sunday School teacher and in the Sewing Circles. They were blessed with 4 boys and 1 girl. She loved her family dearly and would do anything for them. After her husband’s retirement, they took many camping trips with family and these were very special moments in her life. She had a number of surgeries and after her hip surgery, they moved to the Central Heights Manor which they enjoyed for 6 years. Then, due to John’s health, they moved to the Menno Terrace where she lived for the past 3 ½ years. She was diagnosed with a spot on her lung in the summer of 2010 and this past May it became evident that she was having some difficulty breathing. More tests confirmed that her lungs and respiratory system were shutting down and in her last 2 weeks, all her energy was used just to grasp the next breath. With her husband, children and spouses, several grandchildren by her side, she entered peacefully into the presence of her Lord on June 21, 2011.
Predeceased by her 5 brothers, 2 sisters, infant son Victor, Helen is mourned by her loving husband John, children John ( Elsie ), Rudy ( Carol ), Len ( Irmi ), Henry ( Rose ), Carol ( Joel ) Bancroft, 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.