Obituary for Helene Hubertine Reiche (Schwaken)
Helene Hubertine Reiche
Helene Hubertine Reiche of Calgary passed away peacefully with her son and his wife by her side, on Friday, January 8, 2021 at the age of 93 years and now resides with the Lord. She loved her family, and her kindness and generosity were unceasing. Friends in the German community and beyond were always a joy in her life, which she would often reminisce about.
Helene, better known as Leni or Helen, was born in Watern, Germany on August 27, 1927 to Margarite and Heinrich Schwaken. The third oldest of seven children, she had three sisters, Elizabeth, Käthe and Hanni; and three brothers, Willie, Hans and Heinz. Her life was dramatically interrupted at age 17 when she contracted tuberculosis. The prognosis was grim, but her father simply said "Lenike, you are not going to die.” She defied the odds and, at the time of her passing, was the last remaining sibling.
She married Gerhard Broszat and had a son before the family moved to Calgary, Alberta in June of 1957. She worked at various restaurants as a cook and eventually became the Chefin (manager) of the kitchen at the German Canadian Club, which she was a member of for most of her years in Canada. In 1972, she was remarried to Hans Reiche and the two of them spent many happy years travelling around the country and the world with Germany, of course, being one of their favourite destinations. One of their passions was singing and they were both members of the Singemeinshaft (German mixed choir) for many years. Another of Leni's passions was cooking and there was never an unsatisfied customer when you were at the Reiche house.
Leni was predeceased by her loving husband, Hans. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Doug Broszat; his wife, Kelly; and grandsons Drew, Aaron and his wife, Terri and Dustin; stepdaughter, Ingrid Thomas; her husband, Allan; granddaughters, Cristina and Stephanie; great grandchildren, Greta, Eric and Annelise; niece, Brigitte Wilhelmsen of Prince George, British Columbia; her husband, Andy; daughter, Jennifer; son, Casey; and all of her nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and extended family in Germany.
The family extends thanks and gratitude to the staff at Helen's seniors’ home, AgeCare Seton, for their caring and support over the past five years, and to First Alliance Church for spiritual support through their Sunday services at AgeCare. You all helped to keep her spirits up and put a smile on her face.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Helene’s memory to Foundation for Prader Willi Research Canada.
A Memorial Service will be held at Choice Memorial Funeral Services in the coming weeks. To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Helene, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
Helene Hubertine Reiche of Calgary passed away peacefully with her son and his wife by her side, on Friday, January 8, 2021 at the age of 93 years and now resides with the Lord. She loved her family, and her kindness and generosity were unceasing. Friends in the German community and beyond were always a joy in her life, which she would often reminisce about.
Helene, better known as Leni or Helen, was born in Watern, Germany on August 27, 1927 to Margarite and Heinrich Schwaken. The third oldest of seven children, she had three sisters, Elizabeth, Käthe and Hanni; and three brothers, Willie, Hans and Heinz. Her life was dramatically interrupted at age 17 when she contracted tuberculosis. The prognosis was grim, but her father simply said "Lenike, you are not going to die.” She defied the odds and, at the time of her passing, was the last remaining sibling.
She married Gerhard Broszat and had a son before the family moved to Calgary, Alberta in June of 1957. She worked at various restaurants as a cook and eventually became the Chefin (manager) of the kitchen at the German Canadian Club, which she was a member of for most of her years in Canada. In 1972, she was remarried to Hans Reiche and the two of them spent many happy years travelling around the country and the world with Germany, of course, being one of their favourite destinations. One of their passions was singing and they were both members of the Singemeinshaft (German mixed choir) for many years. Another of Leni's passions was cooking and there was never an unsatisfied customer when you were at the Reiche house.
Leni was predeceased by her loving husband, Hans. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Doug Broszat; his wife, Kelly; and grandsons Drew, Aaron and his wife, Terri and Dustin; stepdaughter, Ingrid Thomas; her husband, Allan; granddaughters, Cristina and Stephanie; great grandchildren, Greta, Eric and Annelise; niece, Brigitte Wilhelmsen of Prince George, British Columbia; her husband, Andy; daughter, Jennifer; son, Casey; and all of her nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and extended family in Germany.
The family extends thanks and gratitude to the staff at Helen's seniors’ home, AgeCare Seton, for their caring and support over the past five years, and to First Alliance Church for spiritual support through their Sunday services at AgeCare. You all helped to keep her spirits up and put a smile on her face.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Helene’s memory to Foundation for Prader Willi Research Canada.
A Memorial Service will be held at Choice Memorial Funeral Services in the coming weeks. To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Helene, please visit www.choicememorial.com.