Obituary of Dora VERHELST

Minodora Verhelst of Lafleche, SK, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at the age of 85 years. Dora was born March 27, 1927 in the Melaval district, the eldest daughter of Sam and Mary (nee Galatiuk) Vatamaniuk. Being the eldest child, Dora spent a lot of time helping prepare meals for her large family, which is how she became an excellent cook. Dora’s attended One Mile Coulee School and Valence Country School down the road from the family farm. Later she went to the Convent in Gravelbourg, where she graduated high school. After graduation, Dora attended Teacher’s College in Moose Jaw. Her first teaching position was at Woodrow Country School before moving to Melaval, where she taught Grades I to VII. During the second year at Melaval she met Albert Verhelst at a dance and they were married a year later on July 14, 1949. Dora and Albert lived in Lafleche for a short time before moving to Albert’s parent’s farm when they retired. Dora always tended a big garden, had lots of chickens, was an integral help with the farming over the years and made many wonderful meals. During the winter Dora and Albert always went somewhere warm. Initially it was out to BC where Dora would work in department stores. Then they began returning to California each winter and eventually decided to build a house in Los Angeles. It was during the winter of 1956 that their son Lawrence was born while in California. After a few years, Dora decided to upgrade her teaching skills and went to Vancouver for a summer of Teacher’s College. When she returned home, Dora taught at Mathieu Convent in Lafleche. In the years to come, Dora and Albert started going to Florida for the winter, where they made some long lasting friendships on Miami Beach. Around 1983 they settled into a home in Penticton, BC. Dora enjoyed her knitting, reading, and above all walking everywhere in Penticton. When Albert passed away in 2003, Dora moved to the Wheatland Lodge in Lafleche. Later that year Dora moved to the Foyer d’Youville in Gravelbourg, where she remained until her passing. Dora will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Dora is survived by her loving family, son Lawrence (Twyla) Verhelst, granddaughters Maddison and MacKenzie; sisters Marg Vataman, Gene (Ken) Ferg, Geneva Petersen, Ev (Terry) Pickering; brothers Adrian Vataman, Ed (Marlene) Vatamaniuk, Larry (Theresa) Vataman; sisters-in-law Lexie Vataman, Eileen (Bob) Flath; brother-in-law Leroy Robinson; sister-in-law Elsie Packet and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband Albert Verhelst; parents Sam and Mary Vatamaniuk; sister Georgina Robinson; brothers Chris Vataman, Octavian Vatamaniuk; sisters-in-law Nealda Vataman and Gabrielle Verhelst; brothers-in-law Jim Petersen and Jerome Packet. Memorial Service was held on Monday, October 15, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., at the Wood River Memorial Hall, Lafleche, SK, with Reverend Linda Tomlinson officiant. The eulogy was shared by Lawrence Verhelst. Music by Sherry Sproule, Duane Filson, Maddison Verhelst and MacKenzie Verhelst. Urn bearer was Lawrence Verhelst. Interment took place at the Lafleche Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial tributes in memory of Dora to the Saskatchewan Parkinson Disease Foundation, Box 102, 103 Hospital Drive Saskatoon, SK S7N OW8 were greatly appreciated.