Obituary of Helen Schwartz

SCHWARTZ - Helen Schwartz beloved wife of Mervin Schwartz, mother of Debra Chesney and Shelley Oystreck passed away May 22, 2018 at the age of 79. Born June 13, 1938, Helen was the youngest daughter of Steve and Katie (Babyck) Bilous of the Moyhela District in Saskatchewan. She received her education at the Elbow Lake School in the Hyas District. The family moved to Rhein Saskatchewan where her father operated a Black Smith and Welding Shop. Helen met Mervin Schwartz in Rhein in 1953 and they were married June 11, 1955 at Christ Lutheran Church. They made their home together in Rhein where they were involved in the operation of the Schwartz family business's and farmed as well. She was warmly welcomed into the Schwartz family by J.J and Lena Schwartz and sister-in-law Janice. In 1956 Debra was born followed by Shelley in 1960. Helen was a home maker, loving wife and mother at heart. She did work outside of the home as well, first in the telephone office in Rhein, then in Yorkton for a time at the Yorkton Union Hospital, then at Hearns Pharmacy for 27 years which she thoroughly enjoyed. Helen and Mervin moved to the farm in 1980 where they built their new home. They both enjoyed farm life and worked well together at the life they both loved. She would come home from work during harvest to get on the combine, she enjoyed seeing the results of their hard work. In 1995 they moved to Yorkton when Mervin retired and Helen semi-retired. She was very happy to now be able to see her sisters Mary and Elsie almost on a daily basis. They made many good friends in Yorkton during their retirement life. In earlier years Helen and Mervin found time to enjoy the family cabin at Madge Lake during the summer, as well as taking numerous fishing trips to Cranberry Portage with good friends and family. They managed to travel to Las Vegas, San Diego, Mexico, Vancouver and various places in the USA. The last trip together was Christmas in 2016 to visit her daughter Shelley and grandson Dean and his wife Molly in Lake Havasu City AZ. This was a trip that she loved and truly enjoyed, she was so happy to be able to travel there. With her caring and loving nature she always kept on top of where her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were and what they were doing, with a phone call, face time or a message with her iPad. She was very thankful to her grandson Ryan who surprised her with one and showed her how to use it, she used it well and every day. She looked forward to the daily updates and the numerous pictures that were sent to her… We will all miss those daily phone calls, face times and messages. She treasured her friendships with her sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, close friends and their great neighbors. She often remarked "I'm so blessed to have them." Helen leaves to celebrate her life, her husband of 63 years, Mervin; daughter Debra Chesney of Airdrie AB; daughter Shelley Oystreck of Yorkton; grandchildren: Derek (Tara) Chesney of Saskatoon; Brandi Kufour of Airdrie AB; Ryan Oystreck of Pemberton BC; and Dean (Molly) Oystreck of Lake Havasu City AZ; great grandchildren: Chesney and Lily Kufour, Cadence Chesney, and Miles Oystreck. Also her siblings: Jenny Greenstein, Mary Yaremko, Harold (Eleanor) Bilous, and Raymond Bilous; sister-in-law Janice Border, and many nieces, nephews, God children, good friends and neighbours. She was predeceased by her parents Steve and Katie Bilous; son- in-law Garry Oystreck; sisters: Anne Crosbie and Elsie Lange; sister-in-law Sylvia Bilous; brothers-in-law: Archie Crosbie, Meldrum Greenstein, Robert Lange, Russell Yaremko and Wes Border; father and mother-in-law, J.J and Lena Schwartz. We were so blessed to share in her life as a husband, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and friends. A graveside memorial service was held on Saturday, June 9th 2018 at the Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery at Rhein with Pastor Karen Stepko officiating. A memorial luncheon followed in the lower hall of the church. Memorials in memory of Helen may be made to the Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund as tokens of remembrance. Interment Details Christ Luthern Church Cemetery