Helen Shiffer

Helen Marie Shiffer died peacefully at the Chugiak Senior Citizens Assisted Living Facility on April 17, 2012. She was born in Dodge, Nebraska on July 21, 1914 to Anton F Tresnak and Anna M. Havelka. She was the 10th of 11 children. After graduation from North Bend High School at 16 she took the Nebraska Teachers Exam and taught 1st thru 8th grades in a one room rural school, where she was only a few years older than some of her eighth grade students.

She married Earl William Shiffer on Dec 9, 1933 in Logan, Iowa and the couple resided in Omaha, where their son was born in 1935. They moved to Tulsa, OK in 1937 where Earl worked for the Frisco Railroad" and Helen was employed by Safeway. Helen's daughter was born in Tulsa in 1944. After the War, Earl was a salesman and Helen took care of the family.

Helen loved God, family, friends, fishing, slot machines and reading. The happiest period of her life was between 1959 and 1969 when she and Earl owned and operated The North Shore fishing resort on Bull Shoals Lake close to Mountain Home, Arkansas. One of her greatest joys was to take her family and guests fishing and showing them that "Girls Fish Too." Helen lived a life of adventure and believed it was more important to collect experiences and friends rather than things.

They retired from the resort business in 1969 and came to Alaska to visit their daughter. They liked Alaska so much that they returned to Arkansas, had a garage sale, and drove their Econoline van up the Alcan in December 1969. Earl found a job with United Building Supply and Helen became the resident manager of the Colonial Plaza apartments in Anchorage. Helen's son and family followed her to Alaska in 1971. Earl and Helen were inseparable. After retirement they drove a motorhome back and forth from Alaska to the lower forty-eight until Earl's health declined. After Earl passed away, Helen lived with her daughter Patty in Sacramento and became a fan of the Sacramento Kings and the San Francisco 49er's. She celebrated her 90th birthday in Las Vegas with many family and friends. She returned to Alaska and lived with her son for several years before moving to the Chugiak Senior Center. Helen and Earl were an inspiration to their family, friends, and acquaintances. Earl and Helen never met a stranger and were always ready to help family and friends.

Helen is survived by her son Jim Shiffer, wife, Rita, daughter Patty Shiffer and Debbie Parrott, four grandchildren and spouses, Mike and Susan Shiffer, Mary and Joe Lammers, John Shiffer, Debbie and Bruce Hollen, and six great grandchildren Matthew, Rachel, Isaac, Sarissa,Christopher,and Eli. Earl preceded her in death in 1986. She will always be remembered with a fishing rod in her hand, a smile on her face, ready to enjoy life to its fullest, and a willingness to help others get the most out of their lives.

Viewing, Rosary and Funeral services will be at Saint Patrick's 2111 Muldoon Rd. 9:30AM, Saturday April 21st.

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel to sign the guestbook please go to www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.