Gerben Helder, 79

Gerben Helder aged 79 of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne Street, Fort Frances, Ontario and formerly of Bergland, Ontario passed away at his residence on Monday, September 13, 2004.
Gerben was born on February 19, 1925 in Drachten, Holland to the late Sjoerd and Sietke Helder. He immigrated to Canada in 1928 and settled in Bergland where he lived until moving to Rainycrest in Fort Frances in 2002. He had logged in the district and also had guided, drove truck and was an equipment operator. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. He loved to visit and enjoyed his get-togethers with family and friends.
Gerben was united in marriage in May of 1957 to the former Carol Fadden who predeceased him in 1975. He was also predeceased by brothers John, Sam and John Helder and his sister Grace Froome.
He will be sadly missed by his children Karen Helder (Carman Selman) of Nestor Falls, Beverly (Ken) Olson and Norma (Ed) Peterson, all of Bergland. Also surviving are his grandchildren Lindsey, Stephanie, Becky, Amanda, Justin, Erik, Jenna, Kyle, Brittany and Abigail, his great grandchild Star, his siblings Jane Vanderzee of Brandon, Verna (Chris) Meulenkamp of Transcona, Man; Tina (Ted) Lundgren of Bergland, Ulke (Hannah) Helder of Bergland, Rina (Sjoerd) Helder of Drachten, Holland as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Friday, September 17, 2004 at 1 p.m. at the Bergland Hall in Bergland, Ontario. Pastor Carolyn Kreger officiated with interment in the Bergland Cemetery in Bergland, Ontario.
The active pallbearers were James, Bill and Barry Lundgren, Randy Morrison, Keith Stromstead, Dennis and John Helder.
The honourary pallbearers were Bob Tofte, Margaret Kreger, Ken and Rose Kreger, Gary and Dianne Brandt, Keith and Cindy Stromstead, Randy and Brenda Morrison, Jim and Marjorie Meeks, George Knockeart, Glen Knockeart, Jill Philippot, Christine Carpenter, Dale and Margie Johnsrud, Chuck and Dorothy Gate and Mel and Candy Olson.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your own choice.