Obituary Overview
Helen May Ryan (Lambertsen, nee Markle)
April 18, 1928 – March 17, 2018
It is with profound heartbreak and sadness that we announce that our loving Mom, Nanny, and Great-grandma, Helen, has passed away peacefully in hospital following an accident at the age of 89. Helen will be forever missed by her family she treasured so much. Left to cherish her memory are her son Ken Lambertsen (Arlene), grandsons Neil Lambertsen (Jessica) and Jace Lambertsen, their mother Joanne LaRocque, great-grandson Mason Lambertsen and great-granddaughter Isla Lambertsen; her daughter Donna Burghardt, and granddaughters Amanda Burghardt and Emily Henneman (Jake); her daughter Laurie Bouchard (Bob) and granddaughter Callie Bouchard; her daughter Catherine McConnell (Brian), grandsons Terence McConnell (Shaelagh), Ryan McConnell (Kateryna); stepson Patrick (Pat) Ryan, Pat’s daughter Lynsay Maddox (Ray), and Pat’s son Derek; Pat’s grandchildren Maddix, Tessa Pepper, and Maverick; stepdaughter Debby Hobbs and son Noah (Sharla) and daughter Braeley Nepon (Seth); her stepson Jeff Ryan (Wendy), their daughters Meghan and Hailey and son Jon Thomas (J.T.), and many nieces and nephews.
Helen was predeceased by her husband Glen Ryan and her first husband Gudmundur (George) Lambertsen, brother Ken Markle (Jean), sister Ruth Rose (George), and parents Jim and Alice Markle.
Helen was born in Carberry, Manitoba and grew up in Brandon, Manitoba. She worked at a clothing store; where her flair for fashion grew, following in the footsteps of her mother Alice who was a saleswomen and model for Doig’s in Brandon. She met George and they married in 1950. George practiced family medicine in Brandon and in 1952 Helen and George and son Ken moved to Neepawa, Manitoba. Daughters Donna, Laurie and Cathy were born in Neepawa, keeping Helen very busy raising her four children and enjoying her many friends. Helen was a good singer and starred with her girlfriends in a play for a fund-raising event. She was active in the Women’s Auxiliary at the Neepawa United Church. She loved curling, and played golf, but always put her family first. She was vivacious and friendly with an easily given smile and immediately recognizable laugh. All our friends (and us) could hear her calling us to come home for dinner, often from considerable distances away. In 1964, George and Helen and children moved to Winnipeg, where she and George made a new large circle of friends and maintained close contact with friends and girlfriends from Neepawa and Brandon. Helen continued her love of curling and was chosen to compete in a national championship. Helen worked tirelessly for the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital Book Market, all the while keeping a spotlessly clean home and nurturing very close family ties; especially amongst her children, that endures to this day.
Sadly, George Lambertsen passed away in his sleep on April 7, 1987. Eventually, Helen met Glen Ryan and they hit it off. Glen and Helen loved spending time at Glen’s cottage at Victoria Beach. Glen and Helen married in Winnipeg in June, 1995. Together they enjoyed years of spoiling their grandchildren, especially at the Victoria Beach cottage. They travelled together to Europe to watch Glen’s sons Pat and Jeff compete in and win World Championship curling competitions. They thrilled in watching both Pat and Jeff win the Brier. They visited Ken and his family several times in Vancouver, and went to Maumee, Ohio to spend time with Donna, Amanda and Emily, who came every year to Victoria Beach in the summer. Mom and Glen relished the joy of having Laurie, Cathy, Jeff and Debbie and the kids in the same neighbourhood.
All of her family will dearly miss her limitless love and support.
Thank you to everyone at The Westhaven for making her final home supportive and loving.
In accordance with Helen’s wishes, there will not be a formal service. Cremation has taken place and a private family internment will be held at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Helen May Ryan 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba