Obituary of Mattheus van der Helm

van der Helm, Mattheus (Ted) of Ituna, beloved husband of Paulette passed away peacefully, while in the background Ted's favorite tenor Mario Lanza sang Ave Maria, at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina on May 12th 2012. Ted was born on May 11th 1937 in Zwanenburg Holland. Ted attended elementary school in Halfweg and as a teenager he went on to study Agriculture at a local college. Ted lived on a farm with his parents and 9 siblings where they grew sugar beets, potatoes and had dairy cows. This is where Ted's lifelong love of Holsteins and milking cows began. As a small child Ted lived through the German occupation of Holland during WW II. Ted once said that he knew he belonged in Canada ever since May 5, 1945, the day of the Liberation of Holland. He and his family stood in the crowds cheering and waving flags at the Canadian soldiers as they paraded through the streets. Ted immigrated to Canada on April 5th 1963. Ted came "across the dugout", as he liked to say, and landed in Saskatchewan near Creelman, a neighboring town to Fillmore, where he met Paulette. They met in the choir, fell in love and were married November 16th 1968. Paulette was Ted's best friend. They loved to sit outside together, Ted with his coffee, Paulette with her tea, watching the birds and looking at his garden. Ted valued his relationships with friends, family and neighbours. He truly listened and invited anyone to sit and enjoy a coffee with him. He often phoned old friends out of the blue just because they had crossed his mind and he wanted to have a chat. Ted was known throughout much of western Canada as "the Dutchman". He carried the nickname with pride, and was often seen wearing his traditional wooden shoes. Ask anyone in town where the Dutchman's house is and you will be told to look for the wooden shoes and the windmill in the yard. Ted passed his love of cows on to his girls and he and Paulette raised their family in various locations in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan; where ever he was employed as a dairy herdsman. In the 1980's Ted and Paulette bought a small dairy outside of Wolseley, SK where he taught both of their daughters the joys of living on a farm. In the early 90's Ted and Paulette decided to move to California, but after nine years, they returned to Canada. On May 10, 2002 Ted and Paulette made their final move with Ted's retirement to Ituna. Ted enjoyed serving every community he lived in. Ted became passionately involved in the Royal Canadian Legion Kelliher Branch #219 and was serving as President. He was invited to the Legion by Doug Howat and the late Walter Kozey. He joined to honour his Father who fought for Holland in WWI and because he was trained as a soldier in the Dutch Army in 1957. It was mandatory for three young adults from each family to join the Dutch Army and Ted followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers. Ted also served as a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years. He was initiated into the Knights in Montemartre SK when Paulette's grandfather and uncle invited him. Ted was a strong believer in the Knight's mission of community service. Ted also served on the Parish Council for many years in Wolseley SK. Ted's faith in God was solid and true. He served God with dedication all of his life through music, joining the choir as a young boy in Holland andcarrying this throughout his life. Many people will remember the sound of Ted's strong tenor voice ringing through the church. As the years passed and grandchildren were added to Ted's family his pride grew. It didn't matter what the grandchildren were involved in, he always wanted to be in the know. Whether it was by attending Ukrainian dance competitions or catching up with life in California via Skype, Opa kept up with his grandchildren's activities. Without a shadow of a doubt, Ted's three girls were the world to him and Paulette, Heidi and Bianca will miss him dearly. Ted is predeceased by his parents Leonardus and Catharina, his brother Nico and his sister Ria as well as his sister in law, Magda and brother in law, Simon. He is survived by his wife, Paulette, his daughter Heidi (Colin Spilchuk) and their children Karina, Brendan and Daniel. His daughter Bianca (Joey Green) and their children Hailley and Wyatt, his brothers and sisters; Kees (Nelly), Gerard (Annie), Leo (Dori), Anneke (Cor), Therese, Ton, and Allan (Petrona). He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Stella Raczynski, sister in laws Verna (Dale), Eileen (Glen) and brother-in-law Dwayne (Lorena ) as well as numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. The Prayer Vigil was held on Tuesday, May 15th at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church, Ituna with Rev. Father J. Pat Murphy officiating. The Holy Rosary led by Knights of Columbus preceded the prayers. The hymns led by organist, Paulette van der Helm, "Be Not Afraid", "The Lord is My Shepherd "and "Now Know We Not" were sung at the prayers. The Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, May 16th at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. J. Pat Murphy and Rev. Fr. Albert Schmitz as Concelebrants. Serving as cross bearer was Karina Spilchuk. The readings were given Bianca Green and Heidi Spilchuk. The gift offering was by Brendan and Daniel Spilchuk. Gea van der Helm led the General Intercessions. Organist, Jilean deGooijer led members of St. Stanislaus choir in the singing of the hymns, "Sing a New Song", "The Lord is Compassion and Love", "Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today", "Here I Am Lord" and "Jesus Remember Me". Members of the Knights of Columbus, Father Henry Boels council served in an Honour Guard. The Legion Burial Rite and Honour Guard was served by members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Kelliher Branch #219. The interment followed in the Ituna R.C. Cemetery with daughters, Heidi Spilchuk and Bianca Green serving as the Urn Bearers. A eulogy was given by Dwayne Racznski and a tribute to Opa from Hailey and Wyatt and a personal poem written by Karina to Opa were all conveyed by Karina Spilchuk. Gea van der Helm shared remembrances on behalf family in Holland. Memorials honouring Ted's life may be made to the Palliative Care Unit at Pasqua Hospital in Regina. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 10:30am, St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church Interment Details Ituna R.C. Cemetery