Helen Kyllo

Helen Lydia Ramstad arrived into the world on July 15, 1929 in Seattle, Washington to Emma and Anders Ramstad. Nicknamed "Toppy" by her father Rammy, she joined siblings Peggy and Bill to complete the family. They moved to Parkland soon after when Rammy joined the faculty at Pacific Lutheran College, settling into the basement of Harstad Hall for a year before buying a house nearby. Toppy was baptized by her father in the Old Trinity Lutheran Church. Growing up during the depression, the family kept a cow and chickens to supplement their diet with dog Skippy as a companion. Life was rich with friends and colleagues in small town Parkland.
Toppy traveled outside of Parkland on the streetcars for swimming excursions to Spanaway Lake and shopping in downtown Tacoma. She attended Parkland School grades one through eight and then matriculated from Lincoln High School in 1946 where she was voted "Most Outstanding Girl".
Rammy wanted Toppy to attend his alma mater, so off to Saint Olaf in Northfield, Minnesota, she went for the 1946-47 school year. Homesick and frozen, she begged to come home after that first year and ended up graduating from PLC in 1950 with a biology degree. She was active in drama, sports and Choir of the West. During junior year she caught sight of a handsome, tall Norwegian driving by Harstad Hall. She asked Eldon, all-American football player and WWII veteran for a ride. He said he already had a date and, undeterred, she claimed that it was with her. Their trip up to Mount Rainier was fateful as they decided after a few hours that they belonged together and were consequently married by her father on August 20, 1949 in the old Trinity Church.
As a reservist, Eldon was stationed in Hawaii and Johnston Island from 1950-52. With any threat of a tsunami on Johnston Island, the service men were ordered to take off in their planes and leave "non-essential personnel" on the tiny atoll. Toppy spent many hours waiting out those times with the other wives. Sailing and swimming filled their days while evenings often featured Toppy singing at the Officer's Club.
Parkland became their home after the two year stint where they had a house built, and Eldon joined the faculty at Franklin Pierce High School as a biology teacher and Head Football coach. During the next seven years Jeffrey, Jennifer, Kristine and Andrew were born. Soon after Eldon built a house on 10th Avenue while teaching and coaching with Toppy at his side raising kids, cooking, cleaning, and attending everyone's games and activities. She was the PTA president for many years, room mother, Camp Fire Girls leader, served on church committees and sang in the church choir. Toppy also loved entertaining and along with hosting many family events, during football season the house was filled with coaches and wives on Friday nights.
A cabin on Hood canal was bought in 1958 with many PLU friends buying cabins nearby,
forming a close-knit community. Days were filled with harvesting seafood, swimming, water sports, hiking, camping and then playing cards in the evenings while the kids got into mischief.
Upon retirement, Eldon and Toppy lived in the Philippines where Eldon headed the Manila International School. They led a wonderful life abroad, gained many international friends and traveled extensively in Asia. After settling in Village on the Green, Parkland, they explored Africa, Europe and sailed on long cruises, often with PLU-led groups.
Toppy loved sewing, playing bridge, bowling and became a passionate golfer, claiming a hole in-one at age 67. She was honored with a PLU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 as basketball player "Dead-eye Ramstad". She was dedicated to her family, church and community. She loved talking with people and entertaining. Toppy was her children's biggest supporter and fan, which extended to her grandchildren as they came along. Her children called her the "Queen of Parkland".
Toppy was predeceased by her husband Eldon, parents Emma and Anders Ramstad, and siblings Peggy and Bill. She is survived by children Jeff (Linda) Kyllo, Jennifer Kyllo, Kristine (Jeff) Walton and Andrew (Marie) Kyllo. Toppy leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Alex, Benjamin, Michael, Andrew, Brett, Philip, Kara, Hannah, Aaron and Rachel, and ten great grandchildren.
Toppy is remembered fondly by many for her cheerful optimism, competitive nature when playing games, acceptance of all people, adventurousness, ready smile, and faith in God.
The Family is grateful to King's Manor Senior Living Community for their loving care of Mom the last six years.