RETZLAFF, Helen Erna, aged 69, of Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, passed away on June 26th, 2012 at 7:55 am. The memorial/interment service was held at the Gull Lake Cemetery at 11:00 am on July 3, 2012, with Sandra Benallack officiating. She is survived by children: Janet Retzlaff (Kirtis Cooke), Steven Retzlaff (Dianne); Grandchildren: Carla Pinsent (Ken), Jackie Lingenfelter (Stacey), Jordan Retzlaff and Travis Retzlaff; Great-Grandchildren: Mason Lingenfelter, Seth Lingenfelter and Jesse Pinsent; Siblings: Beatrice Steele (Albert), Esther McMullen and Norman Johnson (Jean); Sister-in-law: Harriet Blake; Brother-in-law: Edward Retzlaff (Colleen); and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by parents: Einer and Martha Johnson (nee Anderson); Husband: Gerald 'Jack' Retzlaff; Son-in-law: Donald Haley; Brothers-in-law: Barry McMullen and Nigel Blake; Sisters-in-law: Mary Hermanson and Ann Berger. Helen was born in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on July 6th, 1942. She attended Richview and Gull Lake Schools. She married Jack Retzlaff on December 9, 1960, and had Janet in 1961 and Steven in 1963. Helen was a homemaker until 1991, when she and Jack moved to Alberta, settling in Olds in 1996, where Helen procured employment at the Special Care Home. She and Jack returned to Gull Lake in 1998, where Helen worked in housekeeping at the Special Care Home until her retirement in 2010. Helen enjoyed a number of past times - crocheting, knitting, baking and reading. She especially enjoyed gardening, as is evidenced by her vast and well-tended flower gardens -gardening was a passion and skill passed onto her daughter (unfortunately, her grand-daughters have yet to develop her green thumb). She was an excellent cook - her most famous dish was a recipe passed down through the generations, a Swedish concoction of boiled potato and ground pork, beloved and hopefully able to be replicated by her surviving family. She loved her "soaps" - DO NOT disturb her while "The Young and the Restless" is on! Upon retirement, she spent her afternoons on "coffee row", and developed several special friendships. She was also able to spend some time travelling - the fall of 2009 was the first time she'd been East of Regina, to visit Carla and Ken in Newfoundland; she also attended their wedding in the Dominican Republic in 2010. At home, she became a reliable dog-sitter, often caring for "grand-kids" Natalie and Suzy. She adopted Blue upon her neighbor's passing and doted upon the dog, going so far as to bake chicken for him to eat instead of dog food. Helen, "Granny", was a wonderful, strong-willed woman who loved her family and hated being taken care of. She will be greatly missed. Helen was an active member of the Special Care Home Ladies' Auxiliary - her family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made to: The Special Care Home Ladies' Auxiliary PO Box 539 Gull Lake, SK SON 1AO. Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.