Helga McCamley

Aug. 27, 1944 - Nov. 12, 2016

Helga was born during World War II Germany in 1944. Funneled through Ellis Island, parents and eight year old Helga, with her Steiff teddy bear strapped to her back, headed for an unknown farm in Lincoln, Nebraska. Little did Helga know the difficulties lying before her - prejudice from the war, a new language and a completely alien way of life. With the determination of people that have seen hard times she succeeded in school and created lifelong friendships with her classmates.

Her first marriage to a naval officer propelled her around the country meeting the different peoples of the United States. The marriage brought her a daughter, the sunshine of her life, Bryn McCamley. After a divorce, she found her way back to college, to finish her degree in Art from UC Hayward (the first college degree in her family). She worked through many jobs stepping up the ladder into the field of architecture, rising to Human Resources Manager for an appreciative company in San Francisco. While there, she met and married the love of her life, Kurt Widstrand. Together they traveled extensively, eventually purchasing a dream home in New Zealand. Her passion for gardening and horses pulled them into Corvallis, where she and Kurt purchased a small ranch closer to family and grandchildren. She was surprised to find herself teaching both English and German through OSU with faculty and students she adored. Her final years were some of the happiest in her life. While she left us too soon, she left knowing she was loved. Her shy smile slid into our hearts and resides there still.

For information about her memorial service, please visit mchenryfuneralhome.com.