1928 - 2023
On Monday, November 13, 2023 Inge Helten, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 95.
Inge was an only child, born in Spremburg, Germany to Genoveva and Franz Dersch. She was always adventurous in her desire to explore and see the world, determined to pursue a career path where she could care for people, resilient in overcoming all the obstacles along the way, and passionate in her commitment to her family and her faith.
She began her dream of becoming a registered nurse in Germany. Being the adventurer she was, she soon decided to travel to Canada for 2 years and stay with her cousin in Edmonton. While taking English classes she met the love of her life Werner. Needless to say, she stayed and together they raised four children: Peter (Verna), Karen (Chuck), Peggy (Dennis), Patty (Peter); and had 14 grandchildren: Nicole, Jason, Nadine, James, Lindsay, Ashley, Shaun, Jennifer, Jessica, Jessy, Samantha, Dennie, Jakob and Klara; 10 great-grandchildren: Hannah, Landon, Jocelyn, Ethan, Michael, Nox, Calyx, Maxx, Hassin and Evelyn; and two great-great-grandsons: Chance and Bowen.
Inge was a nurse throughout the Edmonton area, starting in 1955 at the Edmonton General Hospital, caring for the polio patients. She was one of the first nurses at the Sturgeon General Hospital when it was first built in 1969. Her love was always paediatrics, caring for the little ones. She eventually retired from nursing in 1989.
Traveling was always a huge part of her life. Early in their marriage they packed their Volkswagen Beetle and vacationed with their young family throughout the United States. Other vacations included Germany, other parts of Europe, Hawaii and Mexico. After retirement, Werner and Inge began traveling throughout Canada and the United States, always driving their Volkswagen camper. They loved that camper.
Inge loved her family more than anything. There were always family dinners, where all were welcome. She had many friends and close relatives, all of whom she loved very much and who were an important part of the family. Her Roman Catholic faith was embedded in her, she was always guided by it.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all the staff at Benevolence Care Center in Edmonton and to Sherri and Cadence for their care and compassion for Inge during her time with them.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at St. Albert Catholic Parish, 7 St. Vital Ave, St. Albert. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimers Society.
To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Chapel (780) 458-2222
