Helmut Froese passed away suddenly December 7, 2002 at the age of 79. A memorial service was held in Burns Lake, B.C. on December 18, 2002. He is sadly missed by his beloved wife Friedegard, sons Eric (Lee), Martin, Norbert (Julie), daughter Gloria (Tim) Kalsbeek, a brother Erwin (Hedwig) in Germany, six grandchildren Kyle, Tawnya, Lyndsy, Aaron, Hannah, and Ryan, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and three sister-in-laws in Germany. He was predeceased by his parents Franz and Helene in 1975.
Helmut was born September 24, 1923 in West Prussia, Germany (now Poland). After losing their homeland in WWII, he immigrated to Canada with his parents on New Years eve 1948. They initially resided at Pincher Creek, Alberta. Helmut arrived in Decker Lake, B.C. by train in 1950. He was excited to call Canada his new home and promptly became a citizen in 1955. In 1958, he married Friedegard and began to raise his family. In 1962 he brought his parents from Alberta to his beloved home in Decker Lake, where he resided until his passing.
Helmut worked as a planerman and sawfiler until 1967 in Decker lake and Kitwanga, and later as a partsman at Burns Lake Hardware and Garage for 13 years. For the past 23 years he worked as a civilian employee for the Burns Lake detachment of the RCMP.
In his younger years he was very active on his little homestead. Helmut was an excellent provider, a meticulous craftsman, and an avid stamp collector. He also enjoyed sightseeing around this beautiful province and visiting his cousins in Pincher Creek, Alberta.