Helen Elaine Gibbs

On Sunday, January 29, 2023, Helen Elaine Gibbs passed peacefully in her rural farmhouse outside Haxtun, as she wished, with her daughters by her side. A celebration of Helen's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, at First Christian Church.
Helen Elaine (Hebbel) Gibbs was born to Heinrich (Henry) Wilhelm and Ethel Flossie (Skinner) Hebbel in Peetz, Colorado on December 5, 1934. Helen's childhood was full of adventure growing up at the foot of Lewis Canyons. She fearlessly explored every nook and cranny of the canyons on horseback often taking a lunch and staying all day. She had many pets including a pig and a badger named Stinky. The family would hitch up the wagon and travel to Peetz where they would watch movies projected on the side of a white building. Hobos left a mark on a nearby train trestle indicating that a hearty meal could be had at the house. As a young girl Helen traveled by train to Michigan to visit and care for her favorite cousins, the children of her father's sister.
Helen met the handsome nephew of her sister's husband at a family Christmas party. Howard and Helen were married in her childhood home on September 28, 1952. They enjoyed 69 years together before Howard's passing in January of 2022.
Helen was an Army wife for a short time and a lifelong farm wife. She could drive any truck or tractor. milked cows and raised cattle, hogs, and chickens. She enjoyed mowing, weed eating and caring for her beautiful flowers. Helen obtained her GED, and her first job was as a Nurse's Aide wiping down and making up the beds in the new Haxtun Hospital in 1965. In 1975 she completed the Emergency Medical Technician course and in the mid '80s became a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Helen's warm healing hands were a comfort to many. Helen, along with Howard, created a place of cheer, warmth, and stability. Without hesitation and with grace they helped raise all the kids in their life. Kids of their own. Kids while their mom or sibling were going through cancer treatments. Kids while their parents worked or relaxed or went through a divorce. And kids just because they loved being at grandma and grandpas. Those kids include Helen's four children: Michael Gibbs, Randall Gibbs (Pam), Lucinda Wagner (Patrick), Rhonda Graber (Tim). Ten grandchildren; Bryan Gibbs (Jenny), Brandon Gibbs (Adi), Hannah and Bethany Gibbs, Damien Wagner (Kamie), Mariah Wagner (Tyler), Nathan Wagner, Aaron Wagner (Michelle), Kyle Goodwin (Tina), Savanah Guhl (Diego). Twenty-two great grandchildren; Kaitlynn and Audrey Gibbs, Aaliyah, Kayden and Liam Gibbs, Kaden, Kaylee, Korbin, Kelton and Atticus Wagner, Krissy Langston (Jesse), Amberly Brown (Cody), Valarie, Trenton, Daphani, and Troidon Allen, Zavian and Zailen Wagner, Shelby DeCoopman and Greysen Wagner, Rylee and Jaycee Guhl. Three great-great grandchildren; Barrett, Ivy and Abram Brown and baby girl Langston due Spring of 2023. Helen is also survived by siblings Betty Becker and Dean Hebbel, sisters-in-law Donna, Marlys and Janice and several nieces and nephews.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Howard, parents Henry and Ethel, siblings Jack Hebbel, Louise Hebbel and Amy Harbridge and infant great grandson Caleb Gibbs.