Helen Hofstrand

Helen Hofstrand, lifelong resident of Kittitas County, died at Prestige Rehab Center on November 16, 2017 at age 101. She was born in Ellensburg on July 3, 1916 to Robert J. and Nettie (Adler) Alley and was raised in their home on Pine Street. She had one brother, Robert. She attended grade school at Washington School, was one of the first students at the then new Morgan Middle School, and graduated High School in Ellensburg.
She and Marvin Hofstrand were married in Ellensburg in 1937. They had three sons, Monte, Reggie, and Bill. Theirs was a true love and they were devoted to each other until Marvin's death in 1981. Helen never remarried.
Marvin worked in the woods as a logger and cat driver and Helen was his support and partner in everything he did. She was a great cook, a good mother, and kept a clean and happy home. She and Marvin appreciated and enjoyed what they had and where they lived.
In 1938, with a new baby, they moved to the Hughes Logging camp at Lion's Gulch, near Liberty. They lived in a skid shack there for 5 years while Marvin worked as a logger. Helen always said those were the best years of her life, and she loved it. Later, they lived for many years at Lauderdale on the 'Old Dunford Place' where the now much photographed old barn still stands, and then moved a mile or so down the road to the Old School House, and then later into Cle Elum. All three of their sons graduated from Cle Elum High School. Helen worked at the C & E Variety store in Cle Elum for 11 years. In 1970 they moved to Marvin's boyhood home on Brown Road in Ellensburg where both resided until their deaths.
On summer evenings the family would often go up to the old campground (now gone) on the old Blewett Pass highway for a supper cookout. When fishing season opened in the spring they would camp out at various lakes in the Basin. Helen always kept everyone well fed, fried potatoes and onions being a camp-out special. Hunting season was the same, early morning pancakes and venison backstrap. Evenings with family and friends spent cutting and wrapping meat and playing pinochle. Marvin was bedridden the last year of his life and Helen never left his side. She took care of him until the end, keeping her promise that he would never have to go to a nursing home.
After Marvin died, Helen went on with life, always willing to try something new. She was an avid reader, learned to use a computer and worked hard on scrapbooks containing family history. She cooked a family turkey dinner with all the trimmings at Christmas well into her 90's. She made many friends throughout her long life and always had lots of visitors. She never failed to make them welcome.
In addition to Marvin, she was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother Robert, and in 2005 by she and Marvin's second son, Reg.
She is survived by her sons Monte (Susan) of Ellensburg, Bill (Sally) of Twisp, WA, two grandchildren, a foster brother, James Marta of Mercer Island, and a brother-in-law, Gary Hofstrand.
She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Deborah, Reg's wife, whose unselfish care and devotion made it possible for Helen to live in her own home almost to the end. Thank you Deb.
A graveside service will be held at High Valley Memorial Gardens at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. All are welcome.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brooksidefhc.com.