Mar 11, 1924 - Jan 22, 2018
Helen was born on March 11, 1924 in Wayne, Michigan moving to Canada at the age of two.
She attended school at Alder Flats, then Meeting Creek up to Grade 8. At this time, she worked cooking and cleaning for local families around Donalda.
Helen met Les at the old show hall on a dance night, oh, she loved dancing, they danced the flea hop and the courtship began. They got married in the fall of 1943 and out west they went big game hunting for their honeymoon.
Soon they began their family and had six children; Ron in 1946, LaVerne in 1948, Lane in 1952, Valinda in 1954, Susan in 1956, and Bob in 1957.
Some of Helen's favorite things were the trips out west camping and fishing. From about 1963 to 2002 the family would help pack up and head to the mountains. The first few years it was with the truck loaded down, even the car crossing creeks, on little more than a trail; we'd all be excited to find the perfect spot to camp and fish.
Helen always had her camera in hand as we went around each bend in the road, that camera was just a clicking. Later on, Les bought a quad and had a seat made for Helen on the back. Away we'd go on the mountain trails exploring. Helen loved the family, the mountain air, the outdoor meals and in her eyes, life couldn't be better.
Helen and Les did most things together, whether it was dancing, playing cards, hunting, curling, visiting friends, or metal detecting, they were on the go. Now, Ron got them started with metal detecting and it became a weekly, sometimes daily hunting trip. Each morning they would decide when and where to go detecting, we finally talked them into getting a cell phone to keep track of them. They found so many neat things; rings, old coins and pails of dinky toys. Helen enjoyed it so much and detected til she started finding it hard to get down and dig, so some of us kids would dig as she found the magic spot for treasure.
Grandkids were a special part of Helen's life and when the great grandkids started arriving, well.....that was the icing on top. Many weekends were spent full of hugs and treats for all.
And Helen enjoyed her treats, many outings included pie and ice cream or some special sweet. But, her camera was still at her side most everywhere she went, all the while collecting many first-place ribbons for her treasured photos.
About the last 15 years Helen spent living in Stettler. She enjoyed her friends and activities and a few bike rides with Ron plus many outings with family and friends.
Though her last couple years were more challenging for Helen healthwise, she always had a smile for us and friends. At Helen's last Christmas she was all smiles and loved having her family making a fuss over her, and again we got great pictures of Helen and her kids to treasure.
Helen passed away peacefully on January 22, 2018, a sunny day with family by her side. She was 93 years, 10 months and 11 days. Her new journey had begun.
Left to cherish Helen's memory are her son Ron (Eilene) Damberger, grandson Jim (Judi) Damberger, great-grandson Joshua Damberger, great-grandson Robert Orcheski; granddaughter Tracy (Don) Poirier, great-grandsons Jeremy and Marcus; daughter LaVerne (Jim) Gilles, granddaughter Tara (Brad) Hinkle, great-grandsons Riley and Carson; granddaughter Tanya (Jeff) Huolt, great-grandsons Colby, Carter, great-granddaughter Payton; grandson Scott (Maria) Gilles, great-grandsons Joshua, Matthew and Jacob, granddaughter Tracy (Guido) Tews, great-grandson Dawson, great-granddaughter Nora; son Lane (Sandra) Damberger, granddaughter Raelene (Murray) Ensign, great-granddaughters Jenna and Savanah; granddaughter Leslie (Dallas) Pybus, great-granddaughters Gracie and Miley; daughter Valinda Lea Damberger; daughter Susan Trathen, grandsons Colten and Cayle (Jordan) Trathen; Bob's daughters and Helen's granddaughters Chelsey (Todd) Murat, great-grandson Reed; granddaughter Charla (Geert) Bakker.
Helen was predeceased by her husband Les, her parents Marcus and Agnes Hagen, sister Jean Lawrie, son Bob Damberger and grandson Ryan Damberger.
Happy Trails Mom, Love All Your Kids
Helen's family would like to express their gratitude for your many acts of kindness; to Dr. Lockhat and caregivers, phone calls, visits, cards, flowers, food, hugs and especially for everyone being there to celebrate our special mom's journey in life.
A celebration of Helen's life was held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta with Pastor Don Wudel officiating.
Donations in memory of Helen are gratefully accepted to the Donalda Cemetery Club or a charity of the donor's choice c/o Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, P.O. Box 1780, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0.
Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium
403-742-3422, entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.