We Remember
WEST, Helmut Johann Sr.
September 12, 1935 — April 28, 2020
Helmut West Senior went home to be with the Lord on April 28, 2020, at the age of 84. He leaves behind Paula, his loving wife of 54 years; his daughter Doris Kools (Ron) and son Helmut West Jr. (Monica); his grandchildren Danielle Kools, and Mercedes, Kenidy, and Owen West; as well as his cousin Guenther Kamps of Germany.
Helmut was born on September 12, 1935 in Bayreuth, Germany to Fritz and Henriette Ochs. He grew up in the neighbouring village of Limmersdorf. Helmut’s mother passed away shortly after his birth and his father went to war, so Helmut was raised by his Aunt.
Helmut started his butcher/sausage-making career as an apprentice at the young age of 15. Five years later his first adventure took him south to Switzerland – Arburg/Biel.
In 1959 Helmut’s largest adventure began by moving to Canada. In Vancouver he started working at the Fletcher’s meat processing plant. After one year he decided to start his own business – Broadway Fancy Sausage. A couple years later he met and married Paula (who just happened to be his most favourite deli sales clerk at his shop).
After seven successful years Helmut, who always had a passion for farming, moved with Paula to the sunny Okanagan Valley and the village of Oyama in 1967.
Helmut and Paula kept very busy with their 20-acre orchard, while also starting a new sausage manufacturing facility – Okanagan Sausage. On Helmut’s “off” time he went big game hunting which he enjoyed throughout his life.
Two children came along in 1970 (Doris) and 1973 (Helmut Jr.). At that time Helmut sold the business and moved to their 70-acre Kalamalka Lake farm to start his love of ranching.
With his own beef cattle and feed lot he was able to operate a freezer meat business which, in 1979, led to the opening of a deli in Winfield (now Lake Country) called H&P Sausage.
Helmut and Paula had a booming customer demand to expand to Vernon which is where they created their next business. Making many friends and colleagues along the way, they finally
retired after 45 years! They enjoyed some travel and hunting, but most of all “hobby farming” with a few cattle grazing to keep Helmut smiling.
In 2001 Helmut was excited to help his son Helmut Jr. with the creation of Helmut’s Sausage Kitchen. Helmut Sr. was always proud of his son to carry on the West legacy!
Helmut and Paula always were a team in every step of the way throughout their work life and their faith. Helmut was determined for success but always looked to the Lord for guidance and
strength. Over the past several months he could bear his rapidly progressing dementia no longer, neither wishing to burden his loved ones. His suffering is over, and he is at peace in the arms of his Creator.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Sending our deepest sympathy to Paula and family. We remember discovering your business in Lake Country and were so happy when you opened shop in Vernon. Just this weekend we were talking about the locations that your deli was in. We will cherish our memories of Helmut Sr. and know that he is at peace in the arms of his Lord! May God bless you all as you continue his legacy!
Doris and Ron and family my condolences.
We were so deeply saddened to hear of your loss.
You are all in our thoughts & prayers🙏❤️🙏
Nives, Dan, Angelina & Stefan
My deepest sympathy to Paula, and Doris, Helmut and all the family! I have memories of visiting your parents’ place and playing “sausage making” as a child.
Paula,
Or thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love Kathy & Ken Coverly
Paula my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the Peace of God comfort you. Blessings
Mary
Rest in peace Helmut. Happy hunting trails my friend. All our love to Paula, Doris, Helmut Jr. and Family.
Paula and family: so sorry to hear if the passing of Helmut Sr. What a wonderful tribute to him. The. Two of you made a good team and the legacy of Helmuts Sausage will continue on.
Fond memories Sharon
Paula, our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family. Helmut was a wonderful man and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Liebe Paula, Doris und Helmut, auch aus Deutschland mein tiefstes Beileid. Wir haben uns immer sehr wohl bei euch gefühlt. Ich wünsche dir ganz viel kraft in dieser schweren Zeit.
Wir denken an euch.
Rest in peace Helmut sen. 🙏🏼
Paula, my thoughts are with you and the family.
Liebe Paula und Familie
wir senden Euch unser tiefstes Beileid , wir werden Helmut vermissen, aber er ist jetzt erloest. Rest in Peace Helmut..
In tiefer Anteilnahme unser aufrichtiges Beileid Dir Paula und Deiner Familie – Ruhe in Frieden Helmut.
Brigitte und Reiner
So sorry to hear about your lost.. May God comfort you all. Our love and prayers Gary and Darlene Bonsan
Paula, with heavy hearts, we all send our love to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you , today…
Beautiful funeral services today. May God comfort you all today and feel his presence near you
We were so very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad, Doris. Our thoughts and prayers go out to
you, Ron, Danielle and all your family.
Love Lloyd and Helen
Sympathies and condolences to Paula and the rest of Helmet’s family. He is remembered often – and with great fondness.
Gerda (and Herbert) Ott
So very sorry to read about Helmuts passing…our sincere sympathy to you Paula, and the family. Our thoughts are with you.
Liebe Paula, liebe Doris, lieber Helmut, Erinnerungen sind kleine Sterne, die uns tröstend in das Dunkel unserer Trauer leuchten. Wir wünschen euch viel Kraft in dieser Schweren Zeit. Helmut sen. war ein ganz besonderer Mensch, mit seiner enormen Schaffenskraft wird er uns immer in Erinnerung bleiben. Alles Liebe für euch alle von Herzen Beate und Sebastian
My Deepest condolences to the family
Our thoughts are with you Paula and family may God’s love bring you peace and consolation.
In Christian love
Bruno & Elaine
sorry paula to here of helmuts passing -i guess it has been a long time since i have seen the whole family my the time does fly and now with this virus thing it is making things even harder,say hi to doris and little helmut i can still remember when he didn’t want to be in the butcher shop and look at him now,say hi to every one my thioughts are with you all.
Dear Paula and Family – My deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father and OPA Helmut. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time and always, Peter Schmidt / Luft und Licht heilen, und Ruhe heilt, aber den besten Balsam spendet doch ein guetiges Herz (Fontane)
We are so sorry to hear of Helmut,s passing it was always our pleasure to visit you Paula and Helmut.
Our thoughts are with you and your family
our deepest sympathy for the loss of Helmut… from Hedy Neitsch and family.
Paula & family we are sending you our heart felt condolences! Our thoughts & prayers are with you!
Dear Paula and family, we are deeply sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers with you.
In tiefer Anteilnahme unser aufrichtiges Beileid liebe Paula und Familie.
Wir wünschen viel Kraft in dieser schweren Zeit.
Helmut wird uns immer als TRUE GENTLEMAN in Erinnerung bleiben.
Heiko & Petra von Wine Country Bakery Kelowna
Liebe Paula und Familie,
unser aufrichtiges Beileid. wir erinnern uns so gern an Helmut, der immer eine grosse, positive Zufriedenheit ausgestrahlt hat.
Marlies und Frank Deiter
Our deepest condolences on the passing of Helmut. Our thoughts are with you.
Love to you and your family.
Paula, we have just read of Helmut’s passing in our Lake Country paper. We have fond memories of you and Helmut during your years in the orchard industry and sharing apple harvesting employees with you. Blessings and condolences to you and your family.