Helen C. Minton

1910 - 2011

Longtime Yakima resident Helen Minton, passed away April 15, 2011 at the age of 100 years old.

Born June 23, 1910 in Northwood, ND to T.O. and Belle Haraldson, the oldest of three daughters, Helen grew up in Grand Forks, ND.

After receiving her education, she taught briefly prior to her marriage to C.F. Schroeder. After his unexpected passing, Helen moved with her three young sons to Washington where she taught school in Prosser, Union Gap and Yakima.

Helen was a Special Education teacher for her entire teaching career, working after school and overtime to help under privileged families and children.

She was an avid artist with all types of needlework, including spinning, weaving and making clothes, crocheting, macramé, knitting, to say the least. She was a member of University women, the Reader's Guild and her passion later in life was the Women's Century Club, and many other organizations working with those who needed assistance. After her retirement, Helen would volunteer, teaching people her talents providing them with activities to increase their self-esteem.

Upon her retirement Helen lived in Yakima for several years then moved to Anacortes to be near her family.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Evelyn O'Leary, husbands C.F. Schroeder and Vernon Minton and son Keith (Skip).

Surviving family are sons Fritz (Dena) Schroeder of Anacortes, Jerry (Patricia) Schroeder of Yakima, a sister Agnes Johnson of Nevis. MN, grandchildren Cliff (Carol) Schroeder, Terri (John) Rains of Anacortes, Doug (Linda) Schroeder, Gwyn (Terry) Maynard of Yakima, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Plans for a memorial service are pending. Helen's family expresses their gratitude to staff at Fidalgo Care Center for care they showed her.