Esther M. Helweg

"I've had a wonderful life!" Those are the words we often heard from our Mom. Esther Marie Helweg was born November 17, 1931 to William A. Farmer and Mary Farmer. She grew up in the Edgewood, NM area working in the bean fields of her family's farm. She graduated from Stanley High School as valedictorian and was one of the first women at the age of 16 to attend the National 4-H Conference in Chicago winning awards for tractor maintenance.

She married Tommy R. Helweg in 1950 and they raised four daughters while building their business. They were formidable partners and became the largest school bus contractor in New Mexico and in the top 25 nationally beginning in the East Mountains where they lived for several years and expanding into Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho and Jemez Valley.

Everyone who met her, loved her for her kindness, generosity and compassion. Esther was highly respected among colleagues in the transportation industry as well as her employees which she treated like family. During her wonderful life, Esther was a 4-H leader, she loved to read, travel and sew, and was a member of the American Needle Point Guild where her beautiful needlework garnered many awards nationally. She was a longtime member of the Four Hills Women's Bowling League, and enjoyed participation in the East Mountain Historical Society.

The Lord graciously called her home on September 24, 2020 at the age of 88. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Tom; her parents, William and Mary Farmer; her sister, Nella Hensley; her brother, Alvin Farmer and sister-in-law, Donna Farmer; nephew, Bill Hensley; and niece, Nancy Walthall. She is survived by her daughters, Dianne Gonzales (Ruben), Sharon Scott (Bob), Nita Lyons (Mike) and Carolyn Degenhart (David Sheffield). She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Robert Hensley; her grandchildren, Mark Baisdon, Cindi Gallegos (Mike), Joel Zuercher (Tannis), Ross Zuercher (Julia), Ryan Coleman (Alyson) and Nick Degenhart (Lindsey); two great granddaughters, Hailey Degenhart and Kyla Coleman; and several nieces and nephews.

She inspired all of us to be our best, work hard and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Giving of herself with patience and wisdom, always making her family top priority. She was always so grateful, never took anything for granted and lived every minute with a joyful heart. She will be profoundly missed.

Services will be private. She will be interred in the family plot at Mountain Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or donations, please take a minute to reflect on how this wonderful woman touched your life. Please visit our online guestbook for Esther at

www.FrenchFunerals.com

Published by Albuquerque Journal from Sep. 30 to Oct. 4, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Esther Helweg

11 Entries

Lynn Goen

October 16, 2020

I lived down the hill from the Farmer family and knew the family well. I remember many snow storms and riding on the tractor with Alvin, Nella and Esther to go to school when the snow was too deep for the bus to pick us up. That was probably about 1944 or 45.

Angela Kurth

October 3, 2020

My family and I moved into the house across from Esther about 11 years ago. She always had a smile for us when she would be outside tending her yard. I always admired her independence and her gracious nature. We will miss seeing her. The Kurth Family

Bailey Nelson

October 3, 2020

I met Esther through Tom Helweg.
They hired me to do work for them for many years. They both were so very kind, courteous, and generous. Tom became my best friend .
Esther was both very sympathetic and cheerful, and always opened their home in the mountains to me. They were nearly next door neighbors and often shared concerns with me about our children, neighbors, and business concerns. She kept sending Christmas cards until I stopped sending them to anyone.
She and Tom were as good a couple as I can imagine.
Tom must be very happy to be with her, no doubt.
God bless them both.
She was always very kind and graceful...kind of like Grace Kelly...but even better.
I am sad she is gone.

Suzy McAdams

October 3, 2020

She was a wonderful mother, a gracious hostess and a great family friend. I loved attending sleep overs and birthday party’s at the family home. I remember her hand tooling leather and teaching the girls. She will be greatly missed... my heart felt condolences for the family.✝

Tracy Zubrod

Planted Trees

Sally Coffman

October 2, 2020

My condolences. I worked for the family for 25 years Ester-was a wonderful person and a joy to know.

Cathy

October 1, 2020

She was a wonderful and patient teacher for me, a beginning needlepointer. Esther was a very kind person.

Jan Miller

October 1, 2020

Esther was my best friend. We were friends and like sisters for 56 years. She was warm and loving, understanding, strong and caring. She loved her family more than anything. It was an honor for me and my family to be a part of her life. We had so much fun together and we shared many tears together. She was always there to listen and never judge. God definitely has another Angel. We will miss her but her wonderful memories will live on. Jan

Marlene Zagar

September 30, 2020

Oh I am so so sad to read this. She was such a bright spot in my life. I learned so much about needlepoint from her. I so appreciated her kindness always. She will be soo missed. Heaven truly got an angel. Marlene Zagar

September 30, 2020

My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories
and Gods promise to return our loved ones . 1st Thessalonians 4 : 13 & 14 .

September 29, 2020

My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories
and Gods promise to return our loved ones . 1st Thessalonians 4 : 13 & 14 .

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