Date of Birth: April 16, 1931
Date of Death: April 17, 2022
Helen E. McRae of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 17, 2022 at the age of 91.
Helen was born on April 16, 1931 to William and Alma Litzenberger in the family home near Melville, SK. She was the eldest daughter of eight children and attended Alkerton School. After completing grade 8, Helen’s mother became ill and, being the eldest child, she had to stay home to help care for her younger siblings.
Helen’s dream when she was young was to be able to have an education, but it was not meant to be as life on the farm consisted of much hard work, and Helen’s help was necessary.
Helen met Garnie McRae when she was 18 years old. Garnie was a young cattle buyer from Moose Jaw that would come to the farms in the area to buy cattle. He took one look at beautiful Helen and kept coming back, building corrals on her dad’s farm and spending more time with Helen. About a year later they married in Regina and bought an apartment. With only a Grade 8 education, Helen landed a job at the Bank of Montreal where she worked in various departments and learned about the world of finance. Helen now had a chance to make her dream come true as she was able to enroll in classes and obtained her Grade 12 education and furthered her business education.
Eventually, Helen and Garnie moved to Calgary where Helen worked for a legal firm as a bookkeeper. She worked long hours for three days of the week and enjoyed time at Banff and in the Rocky Mountains on her days off. After four years in Calgary, Helen and Garnie moved back to Regina where Helen was hired by the Sherwood Credit Union and worked there for over 30 years.
Helen’s work was meticulous and detailed, and she excelled at her job. She loved the Credit Union and her work there and was able to climb the corporate ladder. She earned many achievement awards throughout her career, all while making many lifelong friends. With hard work and dedication, Helen went on to become the Hill Avenue Sherwood Credit Union branch manager in, what was then, an otherwise male dominated profession. Helen was the first ever female Sherwood Credit Union branch manager and the only female Credit Union manager in the province at that time.
After Helen’s marriage with Garnie ended, Helen was on her own for many years until she married John Baumgartner of Regina, SK. Helen and John were together for approximately 10 years before their divorce. Helen retired at the age of 65 and continued to enjoy the companionship of all of her friends and was able to spend more time with her family. As a business professional and dedicated employee, Helen created a comfortable life for herself.
She loved to travel to various overseas destinations, but most of all she loved Hawaii. Helen was in her 80s when she made her 29th and final trip to Hawaii, and loved the tropical breeze, culture and friends she had made there.
Helen also loved to sew and sewed most of her clothes for work as a bank teller in her earlier years. When she retired, Helen was then able to spend many more enjoyable hours at her sewing machine, doing what she loved. Helen was an excellent seamstress, very particular, just like she was with most things, everything had to be perfect. Her family would tell her that she could wear her clothes inside out they were sewn so well.
Helen managed to remain in her home until 2018 when, due to health problems, she had to move to College Park Retirement Residence in Regina, where she resided for three years before her final move to Helping Hands Personal Care Home at the age of 90.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, William and Alma Litzenberger; brothers, Donald and Oscar; sister Doreen Dietz; and nieces, Debbie Mertins and Cori Walchuk.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her sisters, Hilda (David) Onions, Eleanor Mertins, Betty (Ron) Scheske and Catherine (Michael) Fulmes; and brothers-in-law, Henry Deitz and Kent Siegele; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and relatives. Helen has been a very special big sister to all of her siblings, and will always be a part of their fondest memories. She will always be remembered for her big and beautiful smile!
A private family service will be held at a later date. Family and friends are invited to leave tributes at: www.reginafuneralhome.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Regina Funeral Home and Cemetery 306-789-8850.
