Helen Louise Reeves Merrill

Helen Louise Reeves Merrill passed away on Oct 3, 2025 at the age of 96 at The Peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona. Helen was born on Jan 25, 1929 at home on a farm near Clarksville, Iowa to Ralph William Reeves and Blanch Lois Folks Reeves. She grew up the youngest of 12 children (4 died as infants) on Bremer and Butler Co. farms and graduated from Plainfield High School in 1947.

Helen married Herbert West Swinton (b. Nov 10, 1924 - d. Dec 12, 2012) on Jun 12, 1947 in Plainfield, Iowa. They later divorced. She married Leland Pratt Merrill (b. Jul 26,1927 - d. Apr 29, 2016) on Jan 19, 1990 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Helen was a homemaker, dental assistant, geriatric nurse/medication aide, and served on many community boards during her life. She was an accomplished gardener, bird watcher, baker, seamstress, guitar player, pianist, and singer. She had a lovely alto voice and was a member of her church choirs, Sweet Adelines (Iowa) and Murray Master Chorale (Utah). Helen won many blue and best of show ribbons at the Coconino Co. fair with her beautiful flowers, plants, and baked goods. Helen was a storyteller, writer, and family historian, documenting her life and that of many generations of her family, with humor and honesty. Helen was proud to have volunteered with the Flagstaff Family Food Center & Reading Room, Hope Cottage, Utah Symphony, various schools/PTA groups, 4H clubs, and with Black Hawk Co. Juvenile Corrections as a Probation Officer. She was an advocate for the unhoused, women/children fleeing domestic violence, women's civil rights, conservation, and children's literacy. Her latest project was to distribute nearly 1,000 hand-knitted hats and hundreds of hygiene kits to local organizations and individuals in need. Above all, she was a kind and loving mother and grandmother and demonstrated what it means to live a resilient, full, compassionate life.

Helen is survived by her children Shari Jo Swinton Brodersen (Randy) of Brighton, CO; Daniel Lee Swinton (Julia) of Littleton, CO; and Andrea Lynn Swinton Hartley of Flagstaff, AZ; as well as step-children Margene Smith, Karen Larsen, Leeann Blake, Melanie Coons, John Merrill, Neena Sullivan, Janalee Merrill. She is also survived by grandchildren Heather Rose Nelson Grady (Terrance Grady) of Denver, CO; Elizabeth Louise Hartley of Littleton, CO; and Samuel Herbert Hartley of Flagstaff, AZ; as well as step-grandson Jordan E. Jaussi of Seattle, WA.

Helen was preceded in death by husbands Herbert West Swinton and Leland Pratt Merrill, parents Blanche Lois Folks and Ralph William Reeves, brothers Howard Keith Reeves (Ada Wood), Chester Caswell Reeves (Myrtle Randolph), James Marvin Reeves (ob inf), and Ralph (Bud) Eldon Reeves (Marion Sanford), sisters Elna Lorraine Reeves (ob inf), Ida Lois Reeves (ob inf), Virginia Mae Reeves Lantz (Gerald), Alice Reeves (ob inf), Evelyn Fae Reeves Riggs (Marvin), Ruth Mary Reeves Bauer (Melbourne), and Ida Isabelle Reeves Knapp Shaulis (Lawrence Reeves, Wesley Shaulis) and many of her nieces and nephews.

Helen was cremated at Norvell Owens in Flagstaff, AZ. Her ashes will be scattered near the resting place of her parents in Plainfield, Iowa. A memorial service will be held in the Summer or Fall of 2026 in Flagstaff, Arizona.