Wilna Jean (Thompson) Helstrom

Jean Helstrom passed away Thursday, March 24, 2022 peacefully in her home at Northern View Lodge at the age of 79.

Jean was born Monday, September 14, 1942 to Gerald and Kathleen Thompson in Tisdale Saskatchewan.  She was the third of four daughters and grew up on their farm in Brooksby Saskatchewan.  She attended school in Ridgedale and Star City Saskatchewan.  After graduating, she began taking nursing courses  and met and married Clayton Helstrom in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1963.  She became a full time homemaker and started raising their family of four children.

The first few years they moved around with the heavy construction jobs living in Outlook, the family farm in Star City and Uncle Alvin’s yard with their small house trailer and babies in tow.  They purchased land in Carrot Valley in 1964 and spent the next few summers in the trailer while they cleared the land and moved to town in the winter.   They started and ran a successful cattle farm which they ran until retirement in 2007.

Jean was soft spoken and humble.  She was a hard worker and could be found working alongside Clayton in the barn and the fields.  She loved to garden and was most often found in the raspberry patch picking berries.  Her kitchen was the heart of the home, always smelling of fresh bread, cinnamon buns, or raspberry pie.  She made room at the table for anyone who dropped by and her grandkids each got their special spot at the counter helping to roll the pie dough or lick the spoon.

After retiring to town in 2007, she enjoyed the simple things in life, like a stroll down the walking path, sitting on a bench listening to the birds or taking a drive down memory lane in Carrot Valley.  She loved to read and enjoyed her afternoon visits with friends at Northern View Lodge.

Jean leaves to mourn her children Richard (Tracey) Helstrom, Candice (Trevor Blake), Darren (Nicole) Helstrom, Lori (Allan) Munroe; grandchildren Dallas Blake, Lindy (Luke) Barry and children Quinn and Nora, Jessica Helstrom and son Jaxon, Ryan (Kianna) Helstrom and children Jensen and Charlotte, Daniel Helstrom, Alicia Munroe and son Zayne, Brayden Munroe; brothers-in-law Vernon Helstrom, Frances Hehn; sisters-in-law Cheryle Helstrom, Vipson Helstrom, and many nieces and nephews.

Jean was predeceased by husband Clayton Helstrom; grandson Christopher Helstrom;  parents Gerald and Kathleen Thompson; sisters Doreen Hehn, Irene Queen, Sharon Thompson; father and mother-in-law Peter and Roselia Helstrom; brothers-in-law Lauren Helstrom, Arlie Helstrom, Alvin Helstrom, Donald Hill, Clarence Baptist, Ray Harms, Emile Carlson; sisters-in-law Freda Helstrom, Hazel Helstrom, Hazel Hill, Marlene Baptist, Fay Harms and Veryl Carlson.

In keeping with Jean’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at Lakeside Cemetery, The Pas, Manitoba, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 0K6, or to a charity of choice, would be appreciated by Jean’s family.