Benita Helseth

1929 - 2022

March 31, 1929 -

Our mom, Benita Helseth, was born on Easter Sunday, March 31,1929, in Ulysses, Kansas, to Ben and Grace Lyle. She took her last breath on earth on November 23, 2022, surrounded by the loving staff of Gardenview AFH in Shoreline, WA. Her family, including her 3 younger brothers, moved many times, from Kansas,to Florida, Colorado, Oregon, and finally settled in Kittitas, WA, where Benita graduated from high school and attended Central Washington College. She married Morris Helseth in 1949. In 1954, they moved to their home in Lake Stevens, where they raised their 4 children. She had many close friends in Lake Stevens, and was able to live there for 67 years! She later obtained an AA in early childhood education, and taught preschool through ECC's co-op preschool program for several years.
Benita had many interests. She loved being creative, loved painting, sewing, knitting, playing piano and singing. She and our dad often took turns singing us to sleep, a cherished memory. She was an avid gardener, and created and tended her acres of gardens as long as she was able. She loved her many cats and dogs, especially Jiggs and Lassie.

Benita was a lifelong learner. She read everything she could get her hands on, and shared many ideas with us, her friends, and in her many letters to the editor. She was active in PTA, led a Campfire troop, volunteered as a tutor to ESL learners, and worked with Lake Stevens Food Bank for many years,until age 90! She was a member of Marysville United Methodist Church in her later years, and helped where she could. She supported many charities throughout the years, saying,"Well,someone has to do it!

Benita cared about creating a just and equitable world for all,taking care of the earth, and elevating the lives of women in the world. She was a precinct committee leader for many years, a longtime member and newsletter editor for the League of Women Voters, and was very active with the Democratic Party, helping to run many campaigns for elected offices. She was thrilled to see more women and minorities being elected, and especially loved the Obamas. She championed environmental causes. She was one of the first to place and manage recycling bins in Lake Stevens in the early 70's. She was outspoken in her efforts to encourage the PUD to focus on conservation and earth-friendly energies, and helped elect PUD commissioners who felt the same.

And foremost, Benita's family meant the world to her. She loved and cared for her children, their friends, her grand and great-grandchildren,her neighbors and friends. Her home was welcoming to all, and there was always room at the table.
Benita was preceded in death by her husband, Morris; her brothers, Blaine and Duane Lyle; and many in-laws on Morris's side of the family. She is survived by her younger brother Boyd Lyle and his wife Pam; sisters-in-law Connie Lyle and Shirley Lyle; her children Grady, Gayle Helseth-Kenison (Michael), Brian (Delaree), and Deanna (Bob Ward). She is also survived by her grandchildren Darrell, Deedee, Wesley, Katie, Jeffrey, Meggi and Sam, many great and great-great- grandchildren,many nieces and nephews, her dear friends Christina and Richard, and her wonderful neighbors Chuck and Barb, whose help enabled her to live in her home for so many years.

If you would like to donate to a charity in her memory, consider Lake Stevens Food Bank, NOAH animal shelter, Rocky Mountain Institute, or a charity of your choice. There will be a celebration of life at a later time.

November 23, 2022