Obituary of Helen Irene Neff

Helen Irene Neff passed away at the Assiniboia Union Hospital. Assiniboia, SK, on May 20, 2017 at the age of 91 years. She was born December 3, 1925 in Viceroy, Saskatchewan a first child to Ole and Marie Alm. Her father had immigrated from Lillehammer, Norway and her mother from Bergen, Norway. Their home was south of Viceroy in a community known locally as Una. She grew up with three siblings, Gordon who died in 2011, Myrtle who lives in San Francisco, and Walter (Joyce) who lives in Moose Jaw. She also had close ties with her Uncle Chris Lovick's family who lived close by. She attended school in Viceroy and was an excellent student. After graduating from high school she worked in a local store. She met Norman Morgan Neff and they were married November 26, 1947.They had two children, Barb and Greg. Helen and Norman worked very hard to establish the Neff family farm. Helen took great pride in her home and yard. Everything inside and out was neat and tidy. Every summer her flower beds were ablaze with colour and her vegetable garden kept us all busy and well fed. After seeding was finished Helen and Norman would take their trailer to Banff for a few weeks. Helen loved the mountains and enjoyed the programs provided by the park rangers. They did a lot of camping usually with family which was a fun time. She was an avid reader and always had a book close by. Also, she was a whiz at cryptic crosswords. The night sky was one of her passions, she was an excellent amateur astronomer and could identify constellations, stars, and planets when they appeared overhead. The dark prairie nights made her star gazing an unforgettable experience. Her binoculars and bird books were kept by the kitchen window so she could easily grab them to do some serious bird watching. Humming birds were her favourite and she enjoyed watching their antics at the feeder. Helen devoted her life to her home and family , but the best thing in her life was her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her great great grandchild. Helen is reunited in heaven with her husband Norman Neff (2014) She is survived by her daughter Barbara Neff (Alan Lizee); son Greg (Nichole) Neff; grandson Warren Neff, great grandchildren Lucas, Logan, Kyler; granddaughter Sherilynn (Brett) BeBeau, great granddaughter Shayna (Shadoe), great grandson Brayden (Morgan), and great great granddaughter Blaike, great granddaughter Ayana; grandson Curtis Neff, great grandchildren Bryce and Kali. Sister Myrtle Alm; brother Walter (Joyce) Alm; sisters-in-law Muriel Neff and Margaret Neff; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Ole (1959) and Marie (nee Lovick) (1988) Alm; brother Gordon Alm (2011); father-in-law Lorne Curtis (1974) and mother-in-law Louisa (nee Morgan) (1953) Neff; step mother-in-law Lillian Neff (1994); brothers-in-law Milo (1920), John (2014), Clifford (2004). A funeral Service was held on Saturday, May 27, 2017, 2:00 p.m., at Piche Hawkins Funeral Chapel, Assiniboia, SK. Wendy Gibson, DLMr officiating. Eulogy shared by Barbara Neff. Grandchildren tribute was given by Warren Neff and Sherilynn BeBeau. Active Pallbearers were Lucas Terlesky, Logan Neff, Kyler Neff, Shayna BeBeau (Shadoe), Brayden BeBeau (Morgan), Ayana BeBeau, Bryce Neff, Kali Neff, Blaike BeBeau. Memorial Donations in Helen's memory to STARS Ambulance Service were greatly appreciated.