Mrs. Helen Gerse

Ilona "Helen" Gerse passed away on Sunday July 21, 2024, at the age of 84. Helen was born on June 8, 1940, in Veszprem Hungary and at the age of 16, in search of a better life, she came to Canada in 1957 following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. She was fiercely proud to be Hungarian and demonstrated this by keeping up the language, celebrating the culture, and participating in Folkfest. When in Austria after escaping Hungary during the Russian invasion, she met her love Bela “Bill” Gerse and they later married on December 28, 1963, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Saskatoon. Together Helen and Bill lovingly raised their two children, ran the family business (BG Electric), and were involved with the Hungarian community. Helen was also proud and grateful to be Canadian. She always enjoyed cooking traditional Hungarian cuisine and made sure everyone had more than enough to eat. During the summer, Helen enjoyed her time with family and friends at their Turtle Lake cabin her and Bill built with love. Helen really enjoyed spending time in her garden, listening to the birds, and growing her Hungarian peppers. She had a love of all animals; especially cats and dogs and she enjoyed fishing. Helen was passionate about cooking for those she loved and passed along this passion to her daughter Janice. Helen was an avid sports fan and spent many hours with her son David going to or watching hockey, baseball, and World Cup games. After Bill's passing in 2006, Helen proudly worked in food and beverage at Prairieland Park, where she had fun working the different events, meeting new people, and making great friends. Helen leaves to mourn her son David (Heather); daughter Janice (Brian); and many beloved members of the Hungarian community of Saskatoon, her neighborhood friends throughout Saskatoon, and friends at Turtle Lake. Helen was predeceased by her husband Bela "Bill" Gerse in 2006. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 with Father Clement as the celebrant at St. Peter the Apostle Church (1121 Northumberland Avenue Saskatoon). In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Saskatoon SPCA or Saskatchewan Cancer Agency in memory of Helen. Arrangements entrusted to Kole Roth.