Helen Olga (Lansberry) Toews of Herbert, Sask. passed away peacefully with her family by her side on December 17, 2010 at the Herbert Integrated Healthcare Facility. Helen leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Dallas Toews of Herbert, Judy Voth (Lorne) of Saskatchewan Landing, Terry Toews (Stewart Wells) of Burnham and Lori Toews (Kelly Sauder) of Saskatoon; her son-in-law, Ken Kyle, of Yorkton; her grandchildren: Blair Voth Miller (Brad Miller) of Calgary, Thomas Voth (Adrianna MacDougall) and their children, Kowen, Keilana and Cadence of Herbert, Mark Voth of Swift Current, Carrie Kyle of Saskatoon, Brenda Kyle of Melville and Alan Kyle of Regina; her brother, Les (Doris) Lansberry of Swift Current; sisters-in-law, Jean Toews of Stoney Creek, Ontario, Verna Schaitel of Morse and Anne Lansberry of Herbert; her nieces and nephews and cousins with whom she remained close and her many friends. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Melvin Toews; her daughter, Cheryl (Toews) Kyle; her brother, Harry (and Ethel) Lansberry; her sister, Edith (and Raymond) Francis; her brothers-in-law, Lawrence (and Minnie) Toews, Wesley Toews and Leo Schaitel; and her sister-in-law Lorraine (and Adolph) Schaitel. Helen was born on June 3, 1922 at Herbert, the third of four children in the family of Lawrence and Olga (Swanson) Lansberry. She liked growing up on the farm feeling that, even during the Great Depression, they had a good life. She didn't mind the hard work helping with household chores, weeding the garden and looking after her little brother. She loved the close relationship and frequent get-togethers with her Swanson relatives and remembered the warmth of welcome in their home for all family, neighbours and friends. She completed Grade Ten at Coxley School where she enjoyed learning and excelled in Mathematics, Literature, Composition and Penmanship. She took part in sports especially liking softball. Her father's death when she was only sixteen affected her deeply and, in part, delayed her finishing Grade Twelve in Herbert until 1940. She then attended Normal School in Moose Jaw for one year. She taught at Poplar School in Glen Ewan, Sask. and locally at Lundeen and Coxley Schools. Helen married Melvin Toews on June 3, 1946 following his wartime service. They first lived in Morse for just over a year where Melvin worked as a mechanic for Toews Garage and Helen worked at the butcher shop on weekends. They enjoyed many good times there with their young friends. They moved to Herbert in 1948 and started their family of five daughters. Helen worked very hard to make a clean and pleasant home for her family, to tend a huge garden thus to fill her freezer and pantry shelves. She kept her family fed and clothed and involved in all of their activities without ever driving a car! Hers was the home to which the Lansberry cousins and farm friends came for meals and a place to spend the night when they had school or extra-curricular activities that kept them in town. Many Sundays and holidays were happily spent with extended family which Helen cherished. Helen started working outside the home when her youngest daughter started school. She worked at the Esso Restaurant in Herbert until she got a job at the Post Office in 1968. She worked there for nineteen years retiring when she turned sixty-five in 1987. She liked having a job and earning her own money. She appreciated and cared for her employers and co-workers and she loved serving the public. Helen and Melvin encouraged their daughters to pursue higher education and satisfying careers, to be healthy and happy and to attain the goals they set for themselves. They were thrilled with the arrival of grandchildren and extended those same wishes to them. They did what they could to help them achieve their dreams and proudly celebrated every accomplishment. Helen put much effort into homemaking. She enjoyed knitting and needlepoint especially projects requested by her family. She was an avid reader passing that passion on to all of her daughters. She liked crossword puzzles and solitaire and other card games when she had an opponent. She enjoyed the birds that visited her bird-feeders. She curled in her younger years and loved to watch it on television more recently. She didn't miss a Toronto Blue Jays game if she could help it. When she was able, she loved to attend events involving her family such as curling, hockey and football games and dance recitals. She kept her yard and garden beautiful for as long as she could. She was a member of the United Church of Canada, served as the UCW treasurer for many years and taught Sunday school. She enjoyed the traveling that she managed to do including several memorable vacations in later years. Helen valued: love and loyalty for family and friends, honesty, looking for the bright side, seeing the good in people, equal rights and freedom of choice. These values helped her to face many challenges in her life and to maintain close and loving relationships with family members and friends of all ages and all walks of life. Many of those whose lives she touched have eased her years of aging and failing health. She and her family have been most grateful. She will be well-remembered and dearly missed. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 2:00 pm, from the Living Faith Fellowship Church, Herbert, SK with Pastor Bonita Chad (Grace United Church in S.C.) officiating. The pianist for the service was Diane Peters with soloist, Donovan Epp singing, "He Knows My Name". Tributes were shared by Judy Voth and Grandchildren. "In the Garden" and "Those Hearts That We Have Treasured" were sung by the congregation. The ushers in the church were Wayne Penner and Brian Jahnke. The Interment Service preceded the Funeral Service and was held at the Herbert Cemetery, Herbert, SK. For those wishing, memorial donations made to the Herbert Integrated Healthcare Facility Auxiliary would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of the Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.