Helen Jensen Aumiller

1928 - 2017

Faith and courage served as the foundations of Helen Aumiller's life and of those around her. She lived life with grace, great joy and tenderness; as she would always say when asked for advice, "Everyone does the best they can!" Helen passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 28, 2017 at Frasier Meadows Health Care Center in Boulder, Colorado. She was 89. She was born March 27, 1928 in Hutchinson, Minnesota to Harry R. Jensen, a banker, and Amanda Anderson Jensen, a nurse. Helen graduated from Hutchinson High School. She attended St. Olaf College then transferred to the University of Minnesota, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in medical technology in 1950. After college, Helen moved to Denver to take a job in the biochemistry laboratory at Colorado General Hospital. During that time, she worked for Dr. Hill, who was developing a test to measure blood-alcohol level. In 1955, Helen and Dr. Hill testified in the first court case to make use of the test, in Kremmling, Colorado. The jury returned a guilty verdict, and they went on to testify in a series of trials before the test was officially accepted by the courts. While living in Denver, Helen met Charles L. Aumiller, a medical student at Colorado General, and they were married on August 20, 1955. The couple lived in Phoenix and Seattle before returning to Denver. In 1963 they moved to Boulder, where they raised their children Ann, Susan, Barbara and Phillip, and Helen worked part-time as a medical technician at the University of Colorado Student Health Center. Helen was an active member of Boulder's Trinity Lutheran Church and a long-time volunteer for numerous causes, including the Boulder Valley schools, Girl Scouts, March of Dimes, Boulder County Medical Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels and Frasier Meadows Thrift Shop. She and Charlie enjoyed traveling in the United States, as well as overseas. One of her most memorable trips was in the summer of 1973, when they took all four children, ages 8 to 16, to visit seven European countries and connect with relatives in Norway and Denmark. Helen loved being outside, hiking and camping, swimming, downhill and cross-country skiing and gardening, and appreciated preparing, presenting and enjoying fine food, always practicing the art of hospitality. She made wedding dresses for all three of her daughters and crafted many quilts and other keepsakes for family and friends. She was always active and involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was always ready with cookie dough, stories, walks to the park, sewing projects and thoughtful activities and handmade gifts. Helen is survived by her husband of 62 years, Charlie, of Boulder; their four children, Phil (Wendi) Aumiller of Lyons, Ann (Doug) Fairbairn of Arvada, Susan (Pat) Finnegan of Longmont and Barbara (David) Vickers of Marysville, Michigan; a brother, Dave Jensen of Hutchinson, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren, Sarah, Luke, Jonathan and Isaac, Kelly and Molly, Spencer, Cole, Abigail and Gabe, and Maddie; six great-grandchildren, Gabe, Joaquin, Ezra, Nayeli, Ellie and Nicolas; six nephews and four nieces and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Ruth Englund; and a niece, Marie Golliher. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2200 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302, followed by a private family interment. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church at 2200 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302 or trinityboulder.org.