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Helen Josephine Ploethner

Helen Josephine Ploethner

Female 1917 - 2006  (89 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Helen Josephine Ploethner 
    Born 21 Feb 1917  3rd Avenue East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Census 1926  Sextant Street, Aneroid Village, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Died 13 Nov 2006  Rosefield Centre, Innisfail, Alberta Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I03575  All
    Last Modified 22 Jan 2021 

    Father Sgt. William Carl Ploethner,   b. 17 Jan 1891, Normanby Township, Grey County, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Jun 1918, Eamont Bridge, near Penrith, Lake District, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 27 years) 
    Mother Mary Josephine Howard,   b. 10 Jan 1894, Creemore, Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe County, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Mar 1986, Regina, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 92 years) 
    Married 1916  Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F0769  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Hugh Elder McDowell,   b. 10 Jun 1910,   d. 23 Nov 1995, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years) 
    Married 19 Dec 1940  Aneroid, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F0770  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 21 Feb 1917 - 3rd Avenue East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 19 Dec 1940 - Aneroid, Saskatchewan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 13 Nov 2006 - Rosefield Centre, Innisfail, Alberta Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Helen Ploethner and her mother, Mary Josephine Howard
    Helen Ploethner and her mother, Mary Josephine Howard
    baby Helen Ploethner
    baby Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner in June 1917, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
    Helen Ploethner in June 1917, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
    Birthplace of Helen Ploethner
    Birthplace of Helen Ploethner
    3rd Avenue East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner and brother Alf Jordison
    Helen Ploethner and brother Alf Jordison
    Child on the right is unidentified.
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner with brother Alf Jordison
    Helen Ploethner with brother Alf Jordison
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner
    Helen Ploethner and friends
    Helen Ploethner and friends
    Helen Ploethner and Hugh McDowell
    Helen Ploethner and Hugh McDowell
    Helen Ploethner McDowell
    Helen Ploethner McDowell
    December 2005
    Josephine Howard, age 90, with brother Alf Jordison and Josephine's daughter, Helen
    Josephine Howard, age 90, with brother Alf Jordison and Josephine's daughter, Helen

  • Notes 
    • McDOWELL
      February 21, 1917 to November 13, 2006.
      Helen was born at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Mary Josephine and William Ploethner and was their first and only child. Her father was overseas during the Great World War and wounded at Vimy Ridge. Sent to England to recuperate he was tragically killed in an automobile accident, and
      never got to see his infant daughter. Grandma and Mom later moved to Hazenmore where Grandma met Christopher Jordison who she would later marry. The family then moved to Aneroid, Saskatchewan where two sons Alfred and Roy were born. The family was again left fatherless when Christopher died suddenly after assisting a motorist. The community responded to the needs of the family for which they were always grateful. Living in one of the hardest hit regions of Saskatchewan, Mom experienced the Dirty Thirties and often related experiences from that era. From that experience people were imbued with great determination, strength, self reliance and compassion. As the 1930’s drew to a close and storm clouds of the Second World War appeared on the horizon, Mom met her future husband, Hugh Elder McDowell. Mom described her romance as one primarily of love letters as Dad traveled throughout the Province with his work. A proposal was eventually made and accepted followed by a marriage on December 19, 1940 at Aneroid, Saskatchewan. They lived for brief periods of time at Mossback, Vantage, Assiniboa and Congress before settling in Aneroid, Saskatchewan where they soon established their own business, McDowell’s Groceteria. five children were born of the union, with one being stillborn. Wayne was born in 1941, [...]. During these years, the family began a long relationship with Lac Pelletier that has lasted to this day. We were all infused with a love of nature and the outdoors. The little “Buttonbox” cabin was small but filled with love and good times. With the declining population all the stores and many businesses, including the Groceteria, eventually closed. A succession of jobs by Mom and Dad sustained the family as the children eventually moved away and married to start families of their own. When Dad’s health failed at the age of 60 it lead to a move to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1981. This was one of the happier times of their lives and they made a great number of friends. In 1991 tragedy struck when Wayne, their eldest son died suddenly. When Dad passed away in 1995 Mom dealt with it in the same way she dealt with other tragedies. Mom’s strength, faith, courage, determination and philosophical approach to life never failed her. Mom’s loyalty to family and friends never wavered and she continued to take an active role in life. When her health began to fail in 2005, necessitating a move to Alberta she accepted it with the same resolve of doing what had to be done. Her strength can only be described as “phenomenal”. Her generation, in terms of belief, sacrifice and concern for others can never be duplicated. As mom’s failing health required more and more personal care she moved from one level of care to another. In her short time in Innisfail, Alberta she resided in four different facilities. The staff at each, where she received wonderful care, all said how much they enjoyed her sense of humor, spirit, stories from the past, and positive attitude towards life. Mom was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary and one of the highlights of her life was receiving her award for 50 years of service. She was also a long time member of the Aneroid United Church, Choir member, a CGIT and Explorers leader, President of the Skating Club, member of the Royal Purple and a volunteer and participant in numerous community events and activities. Mom is survived by her brother Alf, [...] as well as seven grandchildren and spouses and seven great-grandchildren. Also survived by brother and sister-in-laws, [...] and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mom was our “Rock” and we will miss her dearly. Mom would want to say goodbye to all those she knew and loved so please accept this as her goodbye. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Aneroid, Saskatchewan.




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