Helen I. Anderson

ANDERSON, HELEN I.

Helen’s spirit went home to God on March 23, 2008, at the age of 83. Helen was born in Kansas and grew up on a farm in Missouri with her parents, three sisters and three brothers.

Helen liked to cook and always had cookies in her kitchen. In her younger days she had worked in a logging camp as a cook. When she moved out here from Missouri she went to work for Jan’s Cake Box in Henderson Center. One day a handsome young commercial fisherman came in and became a regular customer and Helen’s husband. Helen and Byron were married for 34 years before he passed away. The two of them loved to go dancing and made quite an impressive site on the dance floor. Helen loved to bowl and did so until she developed a problem with her arm and could no longer bowl. Helen and Byron were members of the Gem and Mineral Society and made some unique and beautiful jewelry. In the early 1980’s she started her own custom quilting business. She made many beautiful quilts for family and customers. She was able to continue to run Byron’s commercial fishing boat, Admiral King, with her son Michael’s help and then her son Roger’s help. Unfortunately, the family tragically lost Roger, two crew men and the Admiral King in 1993.

She was preceeded in death by her husband, Byron; her son, Roger; her grandson, Nathan Pate; her parents; three sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her children, Mary Mehlberg (husband Udo), Carl Anderson (wife Mary Sue), Janet Spitzer, Dona Henzel, and Michael (wife Jessie). She leaves behind 13 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Harold Schuenemann (wife Marie) of Missouri and several nieces and nephews.

When Helen could no longer live at home the family moved her to Timber Ridge to live. Timber Ridge staff were so wonderful to Helen. If the Timber Ridge bus was going somewhere, she one of the first to sign up to go. She loved to play bingo and to work the many jigsaw puzzles. She made many friends and was the Valentine Queen along with Jim Morrison as the King one year at Timber Ridge. In September Helen suffered a stroke and moved to Eureka Healthcare. The staff took such excellent care of her. Hospice also took part in her care and was so kind to Helen and her family. The family sincerely wants each of her caregivers to know how very much we appreciate all they did for Helen. Big hugs and God Bless each of you.

There will be no formal service. Because Helen loved picnic’s with potato salad and KFC chicken the family is planning on a family gathering to celebration of her life this summer.

If anyone wishes to make a donation in memory of Helen the family requests that they do so to Hospice or the Senior Resource Center.

Until we meet again, We Love You Mom!

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