Helen was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saturday, May 30, 1931 at the Misericordia Hospital to Jacob and Grace Schmautz. She grew up in Atikokan, Ontario with her siblings Gord Schmautz, Vivian (Assels) and Evelyn (Reid). Helen was united in marriage to Frank Vinkle, September 29, 1952. As he was a contract miner they moved around but Helen made friends easily as she was a social butterfly. After living in Lanigan, SK and Flin Flon, MB, she made Snow Lake her home where she would own/operate many different businesses starting with Avon. The others to follow were Ronald’s Menswear, Mrs. and Miners, Shelley’s Pool Hall and Helen’s Flower Shop. She was an avid gardener and thoroughly enjoyed flowers and would have had all of them if that was possible. Helen was a proud member of the Snow Lake Curling Club, Ceramics Club, Senior Centre, Red Hat Society, and was honored with a life membership for her 50 years as Legion Ladies Auxiliary. When her health no longer allowed her to take part in the usual activities she would faithfully attend the Legion Meat Draw every Saturday. She loved to get out and socialize with all the Legion regulars as well as anyone that would say hello or share a smile. Helen also loved giving digs and taking them as it was all part of her easy going nature that seems to be a trait passed down for generations. You could never let your guard down when she was around because if it wasn’t a dig it could be a glass of water and she would not back down from anyone or group for that matter. Sometimes when water was not available it could be ice, icing, tooth paste, food or pretty much anything that she could get her hands on. Helen also loved her family, music, dancing, knitting, playing cards, snow birding, curling, collecting and baseball. She never missed an event that her kids, grandkids or great grandkids were involved in. She was a mother of 2 a grandmother of 4 and a great grandmother of 7 and a surrogate grandmother of too many to list. Helen is survived by daughter Shelley (Dennis) Chrapun of Snow Lake, MB; grandchildren Lisa (Darren) Pattison of Balmertown, ON, Chad (Nicole) Vinkle of Sudbury, ON, Lori (Mike) Kreger of Balmertown, ON, Derek (Chrapun) of Winnipeg, MB; great grandchildren Kyle and Jordan (Strickland) of Balmertown, Chloe and Brett (Kreger) of Balmertown, Kelsey and Reese (Pattison) of Balmertown, ON, Abby (Vinkle) of Sudbury, ON; sisters Vivian (Assels) and Evelyn (Reid) of Kelowna, BC; brother Gord (Schmautz) of Vancouver, BC. Helen was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Grace Schmautz; spouse Frank Vinkle; and son Barry Vinkle. If friends so desire, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by Helen’s Family. FUNERAL SERVICE Friday, October 9, 2015 1:00 pm Snow Lake Christian Center, Snow Lake, Manitoba Officiant: Sharon Stubbs Order of Service: Processional Hymn: “Amazing Grace” Lisa Pattison, Chad Vinkle, Kelsey Pattison, Chloe Kreger. Officiant: Sharon Stubbs Lighting the Christ Candle: Reese Pattison Eulogy: Norman Schmautz Hymn: “The Old Rugged Cross” Words of Remembrance: Darren Pattison Special Music: “Darling” Johnny Reid Lisa Pattison, Chad Vinkle, Lori Kreger Lord’s Prayer: Lead by Val Foord Recessional Hymn: “Closer Walk With Thee” Royal Canadian Legion Legion Ladies Auxiliary HONORARY PALLBEARERS All the people whose lives were touched by Helen should consider themselves Honorary Pallbearers. RECEPTION Relatives and friends are welcome for lunch being served by the Legion Ladies in the Christian Centre basement following the service. INTERMENT To follow at a later date in Atikokan, Ontario.