Helen Teresa Sauter

Helen Teresa Sauter, 91, of Brighton, passed away May 4, her dad's birthday. She was born in Greeley to Edmund Fidelis and Mary Rose (Leake) Thompson.
Helen attended St. Peter's School and Greeley High School. After high school, she worked at Camp Hale in Leadville, where soldiers from the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment trained in mountain climbing, Nordic skiing and cold weather survival in preparation for warfare in Europe.
In October 1944, she enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve (Women's Reserve), better known as WAVES, (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She attended basic training at Hunter College in the Bronx, N.Y.. After training, she was stationed at ONOP in San Francisco, Repair Base in San Diego and RSTADCen Camp Elliot in San Diego. She earned an honorable discharge Aug. 23, 1945, with the rank of Seaman 2nd Class. After discharge, she assisted her older sister with child care.
Upon return to Greeley in 1946, she met her future husband, George Sauter. They were married Oct. 2, 1947, at St. Peter's Church in Greeley. They settled north of Bennett to farm dryland wheat and raise their family.
Her parents; her husband; siblings Ed, Vincent, Marie, Alberta, Rita and Beverly preceded her in death. Survivors include a sister, Bonnie Parsoneault; children, Teresa (Chuck) Debaillon, George (Nancy) Sauter, Chris and Steve, Vince (Bev) Sauter, Tom (Diane) Sauter and Anita (Dan) Klausner; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Helen was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She taught her family many values about faith, work and family. Farming could present many financial obstacles, but she always kept her children clothed and fed. Her fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cherry pie were among the favorites. All six children would line up before boarding the school bus to have their hair combed.
She took up making rosaries for the missions and supplied countless beads to help pray the Rosary. She died with one of the rosaries her father made, clutched in her hand. She loved crocheting afghans, and several are enjoyed by family.
She enjoyed painting ceramics, many of which were given as gifts to her children. Card games, especially "500" and board games, notably "Bump Board" were two of her favorites.
Singing and music were her passion. She sang in her high-school choir, and St. Augustine's choir. Her family grew up hearing her sing Doris Day, the Andrews Sisters and spending many enjoyable walks down the family farm road singing, "It's a long way to Tipperary."
She spent countless hours listening to her favorite singer John Gary, especially listening to his renditions from the "Great American Songbook".
Recitation of the Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 10, at Tabor-Rice Funeral Home in Brighton, which handled the arrangements. The funeral service will follow the Rosary. Burial will follow at the Sauter Family plot at Mizpah Cemetery in Platteville.
Donations in Helen's honor may be made to Suncrest Hospice Denver CO.