Life Story for
Mary Helen Pauls
Mary Pauls’ Story
Mary Pauls, born August 25, 1930, passed away at 9:30 pm on May 11, 2018 in Winnipeg at the age of 87 years. She was the first daughter, after three boys had been born to John and Tina Pauls who lived in Beechy, Saskatchewan. Another daughter, Helen, born 1932, passed away with pneumonia at three months. The family grew until it was complete with three boys, three girls and three more boys.
Mary and her older brother, Abe, played in the pastures and fields of their farm, making miniature fences with nails and string, the toys that were at hand.
Mary was ten when she led her six-year-old sister Bertha to the Lord. This happened while they were walking the two and a half miles along the dusty prairie roads to a birthday party organized by their Sunday School teacher. Mary suffered mental illnesses in her teenage years but overcame them.
She lived with her family in Main Centre, Saskatchewan until she was twenty-one, leaving for Winnipeg, to further her education at Bible College, and later Teacher’s College in Saskatchewan. She was a teacher most of her life. She also spent thirty-nine summers working at Camp Arnes.
She took upon herself most of the burden of helping to take care of the mentally- handicapped brothers. She taught the youngest, Wally to take the bus to and from a job supplied by W.A.S.O. Mary continued to help her parents with the boys, even after all the other children had left home.
Mary loved art and music, and her good alto voice was appreciated in choirs. She entered the Winnipeg Music Festival in the Folk Song class. She learned to play the auto harp, recorder and the cello, always helping in group and solo situations.
Surviving Mary are Hilda Pauls, Abe Pauls, Bertha (Pauls) Klassen, Neil Funk, Laura (Pauls) Funk, Lillian (Neufeld) Pauls, Irvin Pauls, and Waldo Pauls. In Germany
are cousins Leni (Pauls) Toews, Viktor Toews, Heinrich & Anastasia Pauls, Hans & Anni Pauls.
Deceased family members include: John & Betty (Bartel) Pauls, Adolph, Martha Pauls, Harold Pauls, and parents John and Tina (Paetkau) Pauls; in Saskatchewan John & Mary Klippenstein, Agnes Klippenstein; in Germany Aunt Maria Pauls; in Russia grandparents Johan and Maria Pauls, also in Karaganda, Russia, Helen Pauls, aged 14, perished in the concentration camp.
Niece and nephew survivors include: Herb, Donna, Rose, Nancy (Pauls) French; Judy-Lynne (Pauls) Bob, Ken, Carey, and Lori Pauls, Angela (Pauls) Pinch, Michael Pinch; Carol Nixon-Pauls, John Nixon: Jim & Karen (Klassen)Warner, Andrew & Donna (Dyrkacz) Klassen Paul, Matthew, and Emily Klassen; Fred, Natalie and Benton Warner; David Funk, Irene (Plett) Funk, Stanley Funk, Rosie (Warkentin) Funk; Ethan Paramor, and Cindy (Pauls) Paramor.
There are many grandnieces and nephews. They were all precious to Mary, who spent much time with them, (go-carts with the boys, making pictures with the girls). Always being ready to give anyone a needed ride were her pleasures.
A heartfelt thank you to all staff at Donwood Manor Personal Care Home. Words cannot express the depth of love and care you have shown to our families and to Mary Pauls. May God be honored.
Bertha Klassen
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Helen Pauls 1930 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba