Helga Ernsting

With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Helga Lisa Ernsting, who recently passed away on March 27th in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Helga was born in Berlin, Germany, on October 21, 1933, and immigrated to Canada in the 1960s with her husband Ingo.
 
Helga grew up in Berlin, where she became a very skilled Administrative Assistant and enjoyed living the single-life with her girlfriends in the city. One evening at a town hall dance, Ingo’s brother asked her to dance, and Ingo told his brother that under no circumstance was he to approach her. This would be the first of many beautiful stories Ingo would tell over their more than sixty years together.
 
Helga was often asked why she had moved to Canada. She’d tell the story of how she thought it would be an adventure. She often said starting out in a cold log cabin in Dorion, Ontario, was an extreme culture shock, but she made the best of it. Helga made the best of everything.
 
In the next chapter of her life, she’d become a mom and happily raise her three children, Suzanne (she’d call her Suzi after her mom) and her sons Eric and Ryan. Her life was complete as she built her family, owned businesses with her husband as a successful entrepreneur, and enjoyed her life with her many friends and family. She’d later go on to be a thriving real estate agent in a career that she loved.
 
After Helga and Ingo retired, they moved to their home in Florida in the winters and often traveled to Europe in the summers, peppered in with happy times at their camp at Hawkeye Lake. Even in her final years, Helga was a true original who lived life on her own terms. She was known for her energy, kindness, quick wit, and signature baking.
 
She was a survivor, even after losing her son and husband. She kept busy, living alone and often talking about new languages she was learning or the latest current events. Not only was she kind but she was also smart and even though she aged in years, her mind was always youthful and clear. Her resilience was an inspiration to all who knew her.
 
Helga is survived by her two children, Suzanne (George) and Ryan and her five grandchildren, Matthew, Taryn, Jayda, Andra, and Andrew, who will all miss her Sunday pancakes, advice and love.
 
She is predeceased by her husband, Ingo, and her son Eric.  Helga's life will be celebrated at the Mariner’s Hall beside Bight Restaurant, 2201 Sleeping Giant Pkwy Unit 100, Thursday, April 6th, from 1:00 pm -3:00 pm, where all are welcome to enjoy lunch and celebrate Helga’s life.
 
Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.