Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:00 a.m.
Helene Molenaar
1946 – 2025
Helene is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Hank; their four sons: Terry (Charlene) and their children: Jason and Megan (Ethan); Peter (Shirley) and their children: Griffin (Yeji) and Nathan; Tim (Nancie) and their children: Reegan (Ryland), Aaron and Micah; Dan (Lorinda) and his daughters: Tori and Brighton (their mother Anna Wall) and (Lorinda’s daughters: Faith, Jayla, Kyra); as well as five great-grandchildren: Paisley, Kasen, Oaklynn, Rowan and Reid. Helene is also survived by her brothers Maynard and Marvin (Diana) Flikkema and sister Grace (Larry) Dyk.
Helene is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Hank; their four sons: Terry (Charlene) and their children: Jason and Megan (Ethan); Peter (Shirley) and their children: Griffin (Yeji) and Nathan; Tim (Nancie) and their children: Reegan (Ryland), Aaron and Micah; Dan (Lorinda) and his daughters: Tori and Brighton (their mother Anna Wall) and (Lorinda’s daughters: Faith, Jayla, Kyra); as well as five great-grandchildren: Paisley, Kasen, Oaklynn, Rowan and Reid. Helene is also survived by her brothers Maynard and Marvin (Diana) Flikkema and sister Grace (Larry) Dyk.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and Hank’s parents, Jerry and Minnie Molenaar, her oldest brother Alfred Flikkema, nephew, Bob Moulton, brother-in-law, Gerrit VanZeggelaar, as well as sisters-in-law Ruth and Eileen Flikkema.
Helene Faye was born to Peter and Henrietta Flikkema in Bozeman, Montana on April 15, 1946. She was the third of five children that grew up on the family grain farm. She loved growing up in Montana and attended Manhattan Christian School. Shortly after graduation, on November 12, 1965, she married the love of her life, Hank Molenaar. They established themselves on a farm near Nobleford where they had their four sons. They went on many camping trips with the boys and were involved in the Cadet program in their church. She volunteered with Calvinettes, Cadets and at Immanuel Christian School, where their boys attended. In 1988, they moved to Lethbridge and in 1991, purchased the Kernels Popcorn store which they still own today. Hank and Helene would spend 21 winters in Mesa, Arizona and enjoyed travelling to various places for the Kernels conventions. She always loved a road trip packed with buns and coffee and the scenic route. Helene loved being in her home, being a great host cooking and entertaining. There was a lot of laughter there and her home was always spotless. She had a strong faith which began in childhood when her father taught her to sing the Psalms. When prompted one time about her faith, she said, “My comfort is that I belong to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and when I close my eyes in death, I will open them in the arms of Jesus”.
A Celebration of Helene’s life will be held at NOBLEFORD CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 522 Highway Ave, Nobleford, AB, on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM with Reverend Gary Van Leeuwen officiating. The Celebration of life will be livestreamed and may be viewed through Helene’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nobleford GEMS Club.
Guestbook (41)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Helene.
Dear Hank and family, We were shocked and saddened to hear of Helene’s passing. She was so full of life and energy. Hank, please accept our sincere condolences and know that we are thinking of you all and keeping you in our prayers as you grieve this enormous loss.
Dear Hank and family, We were shocked to hear of Helene’s passing. She was so full of life that we are finding it hard to comprehend. Hank please know that we are thinking of you and holding you close in our hearts. Marlene and Chas
Dear Hank; Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Helene's big smile could light up any room; we so appreciated her warm greetings whenever our paths would cross. Her openness - and "open mindedness" - were such a blessing. May the Lord give you peace and comfort at this sad time, and may you be blessed with many wonderful memories.
Just watched the service on the livestream. Thanks for letting us share in it from Ontario. My most sincere sympathy to Hank and the boys and their families as well as Maynard, Marvin, Grace and all the Flikkemas. My memories of Helene are of a lively and fun person who enjoyed life. My first memory of her is when my sister and I rode with her from Lethbridge to Montana when our grandfather married her Mother. She made us feel right at home. I also remember being at their house when the Blue Jays won the world series. The boys were so excited, they jumped up and down, arms in the air, and put a hole right through the basement ceiling. I'm sure there were many similar occasions raising four boys. I hope and pray that your wonderful memories and faith bring you all comfort and peace as you lay her to rest, and in the future.
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family Hank with the loss of Helene.
My sincerest condolences to Hank and family. I will remember Helene’s generous spirit, loving nature, and joyful smile. It was a pleasure to know her.
Our sincere sympathy Hank to you and your family with the great loss of Helene. May God be near and dear to you all during this difficult time.
Hank and family, Our sincere condolences to you and your family in the loss of Helene. Our prayers are with you at this time and wishing you comfort and peace knowing she is home with her Lord and that her spirit shines bright in your memories.
My condolences as you go through the sorrow of losing a very special wife, mother, sister and friend.
Our hearts break for Uncle Hank, Terry (Char), Pete, Tim (Nancie) & Dan (Lorinda), Shirley & Anna. May God grant you His grace as you mourn the loss of your beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. I have always loved Aunt Helene as a second mother and a special relationship with our daughter, Brienne. She and Hank have been a rock in our lives. I am so honoured and proud to be an usher, with my siblings at her celebration of life. Until we meet again!
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our deepest sympathy to Hank. We are sending our love and support. Praying for your family.
Hank and family, we’re so sad for you all to hear about Helene. Sending you our deepest condolences ❤️She was such a joyful, special lady. May God wrap you all up in his love, sending peace and prayers to you all. Brett, Michelle, Ayden and Quinn Weisser
Our condolences to you Hank and Tim,Nancie and family, and the rest of the family. We are thinking of you in your time of grief.
Sending sincere condolences to you Henk and to the entire Molenaar Family.
Sending my deepest condolences for the loss of your Helene. Over the years, I always looked forward to seeing you both at our meetings; it was like getting to visit with my special, much loved aunt & uncle. Helene always shone with such love and warmth. You and your family have an angel looking over you. Love Carolyn
Sending my condolences to Hank and family. Her smile and presence would light up any room she entered. May you all find peace and comfort during this time.
To our (step-brother) Hank, and to all of his extended family, our sincerest of condolences on this the passing of your dear wife, mother & grandmother, "Helene". To us as well, Helene was a dear step-sister , with she being so very much similar in character and possessing a truly loving attitude much as her pre-deceased mother (and our step-mother) Henrietta.
Hank and family, I would like to offer my condolences in Helene’s passing. I enjoyed her sense of humour and zest for life whenever I saw her! May your memories help you thru this!
Hank and family My condolences to you at this time. I have fond memories of her.
Our Deepest Sympathies Hank and Families on the passing of Helene. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you All.
Hank and family, your wife, mother and grandmother was a great gal, honest, friendly, inquisitive, always with a smile. Fond memories forever! Big hugs!!
Hank, Helene was a beautiful person inside and out. My heart goes out to you and the entire family. Sending lots of love. Paula
Sending our condolences to Hank and the Molenaar family. We fondly remember Helene's warm hospitality and visits to Ontario.
I am so saddened to hear of Helenes passing but am so grateful I ran into Hank at the hospital, who then took me to say hi to Helene only a mere 2.5 weeks ago. Hank, Tim and family, I am sending you all lots of love and hugs.
So sorry for your loss you and your family are inour prayers
I’m so very sorry for your loss of a wife, mother and grandmother, great grandmother. Helene was such a beautiful person inside and out. Praying for your family for peace and healing during this time.
Our deepest sympathies with the loss of Helene. She was a very lovely person
Our very deepest sympathy to Hank, and to each of Helene’s loved ones. May the beautiful memories of Helene, with time, fill your hearts and bring comfort. ‘Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories.’ Sincere condolences, Ron & Joyce Sakamoto
Dear Hank and family so sorry for your loss. Helene was a wonderful lady and will be sadly missed by all that she touched their lives.
Dear Hank and Family, We were saddened to hear about Helene's passing. During our last brief visit (in Costco before Christmas), she asked about our daughter Jennifer, (a Kernels employee from years ago), and wondered how she was doing. Helene was always so caring and interested in everyone she came into contact with over the years. We know she will be forever in your memory and hearts. Peace and prayers be with you. Sincerely, Mike and Bea Slavich
Dear Hank and family, Grace has kept us informed about Helene. We send our prayers and sympathy to you and your family. Helene was such a ray of sunshine in every thing she did. We have fond memories of the two of you as neighbors in Good Life. Peace and God’s blessings on you!
Dear Hank and family. I'm so sad to hear of Helenes passing. She was a wonderful person. She will be missed.
Hank and family, Please know we are thinking of you all at this time. I have wonderful memories of Helene. Love and prayers, Greg and Helen
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Helene was a special lady. Always had a smile. She will deeply missed. Wes and Brenda
Hank I can't find the words to say how sorry we are to hear of Helene's passing. I know what an unbreakable bond the two of you had and I can't even begin to understand how difficult this must be for you. My heart goes out to you, Terry, Tim, Peter, Dan and their families during this difficult time. She was a wonderful lady and friend and will be missed by many. May God grant you His peace and strength during the days ahead.
We are sorry about the loss of your wife and mother, Helene. We are praying for all of your adjustments ahead.
Losing a dear friend is so hard. To the family, especially Hank, our prayers are continuing. Love you Helene and will see you some time later.
Our sincere condolences with the passing of your wife. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult days!
Hank and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss she was such a wonderful lady and will be rembered for her kindness and beautiful smile. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers for the coming days.
We enjoyed getting to know Helene over the years through our business,Stokes Pharmacy She was a lovely person our sincere condolences to Hank and the rest of her family
So very sorry for your loss of your beloved wife, Hank, and to your family in the loss of a mother to Terry, Tim, Peter and Dan and grandmother to your families. May you find courage and strength in the days ahead with the Lord's loving arms surrounding you all. I shall miss my dear friend Helene. Clarence and Linda