Morden, MB at the age of 96 years.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Joyce Barron, and sons Jim (Janice), Lawrence (Dena) and Allen
(Shauna) Gillis. Also sharing the loss of their dear Amma are her grandchildren Michael (Breyanne) Gillis, Amy
(Chris) Henderson, Marni (Jared) Cormier, Lonnie (Kylie) Gillis, Jeremy (Alicia) Gillis, Jordan (Andrea) Gillis,
Paige and Wyatt Gillis, and step granddaughters Cherie (Dennis) Rudd and Monica (Jeff) Suderman as well as
her great-grandchildren, Ragnar, Svana, Maddie, Gisley, Gunnar and Magnus Gillis, Haylee, Laycee and Kaylee
Henderson, Delia, Leo and Gusti Cormier, Rogan, Nyla and Bennett Gillis, Emersyn and Brynlee Gillis, and
Everly Gillis and step great-grandchildren Ron (Tiffany) Rudd and Kaitlyn (Kyle) Kassian and Sadie, Parker and
Jaxson Suderman, and step great-great grandchildren Callie Rudd and Karenza, Amelia and Alyssa Kassian.
Helga will also be sadly missed by her dear sister-in-law, Sigga Hildebrand as well as numerous nieces and
nephews from near and far.
She was predeceased by her parents Gustav and Lena Isaacson, in-laws Ragnar and Salome Gillis, her beloved
husband Arni Gillis, her dear son-in-law Jim Barron, her precious grandson Matthew Gillis, and brothers-in-law
Ragnar (Emily), Oscar, Frank (June), Johnny Gillis, Charles Hildebrand and sister-in-law Olive (Arni) Gillis.
Helga was born April 9, 1928, to Gusti and Lena Isaacson who farmed in the Icelandic community of 1-6, SW of
Morden. Being the only child, she helped with haying, milking cows, chickens and everyday farm chores. This
continued when she married Arni Gillis, a neighbouring farmer, on November 22, 1947. They raised four
children, Joyce, Jim, Lawrence and Allen.
Mom loved farm life. She always had a large garden, preserving everything she could. There was always
homemade bread, cookies, cakes and delicious meals for whoever dropped by. She was a lifelong member of
the Icelandic Ladies Aid – Fjolan.
Mom & Dad retired to Morden in 1987 where she continued gardening, baking and staying in touch with many
family and friends through her love of telephone visits. After Dad passed away in 2005, Mom remained very
active and independent. She loved having family and friends stop in, especially her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren.
Through the past two years as her macular degeneration progressed and her memory declined, the safety of
living alone became a concern. She was moved to Tabor Home where she spent the last four months of her
life. She was an amazingly strong woman and we her family are blessed to have had such a loving and caring
mother and Amma in our lives for so many wonderful years.
Funeral service will be held at Wiebe’s Funeral Chapel, Morden, MB on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. with
Rev. Morris Vincent officiating. Private family interment will take place at the 1-6 Icelandic Cemetery prior to
the service.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the 1-6 Icelandic Cemetery
C/O Mark Olafson, 29083 RD 1 N Stanley, MB R6T 0C1.
Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden in care of arrangements.
Card of Thanks,
The family of Helga Gillis extends deepest thanks and appreciation to our relatives, neighbours and friends for
the many acts of kindness shown during our recent loss. We appreciate greatly the many phone calls, visits,
food, flowers, cards and donations. Sincere thank you to the staff at Tabor Home, for their dignified and
compassionate care. Thank you as well to Rev. Morris Vincent for his comforting support and to Jake
Giesbrecht and staff at Wiebe Funeral Chapel for their professional service. Your thoughtfulness and support
at this difficult time is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten
Joyce Barron
Jim and Janice Gillis
Lawrence and Dena Gillis
Allen and Shauna Gillis
and families