Helen Arner

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Helen Arner, on May 21, 2025, in Kingsville, at the age of 97.

Predeceased by her father, Philip Keefner (1930), her mother, Margaret Hannauer (2004), her step- father, Joseph Hannauer (1972), her siblings, Philip Keefner (2017) (Mary 2021), and Rosemarie Mohr (2020) (Carl 1986), and her beloved husband, Alfred Arner (1985).

Born in Bachi Yarak, Yugoslavia, on August 12, 1927, Helen came to Saskatchewan with her parents as a one-month-old baby. After the death of her father, (one day prior to becoming a big sister to Philip), her family moved to be with relatives in Wallacetown, Ontario. At the age of five, her mother married Joseph Hannauer and they all moved to Kingsville, where Helen lived, worked and played for the rest of her long life.

From a young age, Helen learned the value of hard work. It began in the tobacco fields where her job was to kill the big, juicy, green worms. She also worked at T. J. Salmoni’s grocery store, Ontario Hydro, and the Kingsville Reporter.

Helen studied at O’Neil’s Business College where she learned short-hand and bookkeeping skills. These came in handy after she met Alfred Arner at an open air dance, was swept off her feet, and then married him on November 22, 1947. Helen managed the bookkeeping for their Case farm implement business in Essex and on Hwy 18, as well as on the Arner Farm.

Helen also worked in the fields on the farm; planting, hoeing and harvesting crops. At the same time, she maintained both flower and vegetable gardens. Her roadside stand was a big hit with tourists who especially loved her tomatoes and sweet corn. A baker’s dozen sold for 60 cents.

When Alfred became ill with Multiple Sclerosis, Helen cared for him for 25 years and took on extra work at Lakeshore Hotel and later as the General Manager of the Kingsville Golf and Curling Club.

In the next chapter of her life, after both losing their spouses, Helen reconnected with a special childhood friend, Mike Ruscher, and they enjoyed each other’s company for many more years.

Throughout her life, Helen held memberships in the Kinettes Club, the Golf Club, the Friendly Club, and Epworth United Church. She also volunteered her time with the M.S. Society of Canada.

Helen may be best remembered for her unique calligraphy style that she personalized through hours of ongoing practice from high school days until recently, using stick pen and ink.

Her talent was in high demand and she completed hundreds of certificates, diplomas, wedding invitations, etc. often refusing to accept monetary reimbursement because this was one of her greatest joys in life, along with playing golf and Bridge, traveling, and knitting sweaters and blankets for her family.

Helen was the loving mother to Lloyd (Mary) Arner and Colleen Arner (Rick), and cherished grandmother to Rob Arner, Eric Arner, Charles Arner, Sara (Luke) Germann, and Brie (Anders) Leagjeld. She was the proud great-grandmother to Sebastian, Rendel, Isabel, Ursula, Jake and Onyx.

Helen touched many lives with her love, generosity, kindness and spunky sense of humour. Even animals were drawn to her as she had a special connection with them.

She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her, including many extended family members, friends and caregivers.

We wish to thank all those who lovingly cared for Helen in her final months, both privately and through Bayshore, in her apartment home of 42 years, and in her short stay at Age Care Royal Oak.

Visitation will be held at Kendrick Funeral Home – Kingsville, on Monday, May 26th, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to the time of service at 11:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Greenhill Cemetery. Helen will be laid to rest beside Alfred on what would have been his 103rd birthday.

A reception for family and friends will be held from 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. at the Kingsville Golf and Country Club, where Helen was an active golf member for 49 years and where she retired as the General Manager, having ushered in the computer age.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to the MS Society of Canada (500-250 DUNDAS ST W TORONTO, ON M5T2Z5).

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kendrickfuneralhome.com.

Service Details

Visitation

When
Monday, May 26, 2025 10:30am – 11:30am

Location
Kendrick Funeral Home – Kingsville
91 Division St. S
Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 1P5

Get Directions: View Map

Service

Location
Kendrick Funeral Home – Kingsville
91 Division St. S
Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 1P5

Get Directions: View Map

Interment

When
Monday, May 26, 2025 2:30pm

Location
Greenhill Cemetery
Kingsville, ON

Reception

When
Monday, May 26, 2025 12:45pm – 2:00pm

Location
Kingsville Golf and Country Club