Helen Reymer
Helen Reymer
February 15, 1934 – October 2, 2025
Surrounded by the love of her family, Helen died peacefully on October 2nd, 2025 at the age of 91. Loving wife to the late William “Bill” Reymer. Married for 52 years, and they built a beautiful life together.
Beloved mother of Rosemary Jansen (Peter), Douglas (Anh), Bill (Ann Marie), and Marlene Laugesen (Mark) – all of whom are grateful to have had this beautiful and strong Moeder in their lives. She was a deeply adored Oma to her grandchildren Jeff (Melissa), Kelly (Mike), Christine, Amy, Becky, Karen, Chris, Lindsay and Kai. She treasured her 5 great-grandchildren Olivia, Evie, Sarah, Leo and Charlotte. Predeceased by an infant son William(1964) and an infant granddaughter Sarah(2004).
Helena Petronella Wilhelmina Elfrink was born on February 15, 1934, in Zevenaar, The Netherlands. Helen grew up on a farm and was the 3rd eldest in a family of 11 children (Jan, Gerda, Helena, Nelly, Piet, Gerrit, Theo, Truus, Ria, Joke, Yvonne).
Helen was a young person during WW2 which greatly influenced how she lived her life. Making the best with what she had, working hard at everything she did, and not letting anything go to waste.
Helen attended sewing school in The Netherlands and made countless, beautiful clothes for family and friends throughout her life. In sewing school, she learned how to design and make patterns and sew complex dresses and suits. She even sewed her own wedding dress which she later made into a baptismal gown for her children’s baptisms.
Helen joined Bill in Canada in 1957. Through a lot of hard work, they bought their first farm in Port Burwell in 1959 later selling it and moving to Aylmer in 1973. At first they grew tomatoes and later had livestock and cash crops. Helen enjoyed gardening and had a large vegetable garden and fruit trees. In Summer, she would always be busy preserving her harvest by freezing, canning and jam making.
Helen belonged to Our Lady of Sorrows R.C. Church in Aylmer and was a member of the Catholic Women’s League. Bill and Helen enjoyed traveling to faraway places with New Zealand being their favorite. They also had many happy times travelling with their motorhome throughout Canada and the USA.
It made Helen happiest to be with family, serving a delicious dinner that always started with Dutch soup, and making coffee and special treats for family and friends.
Visitation will be held at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Sunday from 2-5:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows R.C. Church on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Donations to the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation or the Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Share memories or condolences at kebbelfuneralhome.com
The family would like to extend a special thanks to both Metcalfe Gardens Retirement Home and the Continuing Care Unit in St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital for their special care and compassion.