Helen Drader

April 16, 1930 - October 28, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Helen Drader, (nee Batty, nee Longacre) at the Red Deer Hospice on Monday October 28, 2024 at the age of 94 years.

Helen was born in Retlaw, Alberta on April 16, 1930, where she spent her childhood years.

At the age of fifteen she started work as a telephone operator with Alberta Government Telephones. Then after a few months she moved to Picture Butte, Alberta where she continued working with AGT until its closure.

Helen married in 1949 to D'Arcy S. Batty and raised seven children. When the youngest was four years old, she went back to AGT for a year, and also worked at the Picture Butte Hospital and Medical Clinic. Helen then went to hairdressing school and opened Helen's Beauty Salon, which was very successful for nine years.

After selling her shop, Helen worked as a baker at the Lupin Gold Mine in Nunavut, Canada and Norman Wells, North West Territories. She then moved to Calgary, Alberta where she worked as a building manager and in administration at the Colonel Belcher Hospital.

Helen remarried in 1990 to Jack Drader. After retiring she took painting classes and became an accomplished artist. Helen and Jack were together until his passing in 2011 after which she moved to Red Deer. Her indomitable spirit and radiant smile will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Helen is survived by her sister, Lillian and will be lovingly remembered by her seven children, Dale, June, Barton, Lorene, Carol, Kaylene, and Daryl, her nine grandchildren and her ten great grandchildren. Helen will also be sadly missed by her three stepchildren Terry, Kevin, and Brad, her seventeen step-grandchildren and nineteen step-great grandchildren.

Helen was predeceased by her father, Fred and her mother, Ferol, her ten siblings, Fred, Louis, Leonard, Norman, Blanche, Eldora, Lila, Flora and Ethel and her step-son, Michael.

A Memorial Service will be held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium