DENNIS, Helen was a strong, intelligent and independent Lady. That is why our theory "She left during the windstorm to catch the Christmas Star for her ride into Heaven" rings so true. She passed away in the morning hours of December 22, 2020 of natural causes. Born on April 18, 1927 in Potlatch, Idaho to Lee and Mae Tyson, Helen was the youngest sibling to Elbert (brother) and Viola (sister). Growing up during the depression and WWII, her family moved often around the NW to find work. She graduated from Saint Maries High School in 1946 and then immediately boarded a bus for Spokane to work for Darigold Company, attend night school at Kinman Business School and lived at Park View Girls Club. Shortly after moving to Spokane, she met Joe Dennis, a dashing Italian, and they married March 27, 1947. Mom was an entrepreneur and made many friends. Together with her good friend, Bonnie, they handmade Barbie and Ken clothes and crayon aprons that they sold to the Crescent store to help support their families while their kids were young.
When her kids got older, she went to work as the office manager of an oral surgeon's office for 18 years. Finally, before she retired, she managed the Spokane Realtor Licensing Department for the State of Washington. Once retired, Helen and Joe enjoyed each other's company, family and even traveled a bit. They were married for 53 wonderful years until Joe passed in 2000. Mom loved living at Rockwood Retirement Community for the past 20 years and was well loved by the residents and staff.
She will always be remembered at Rockwood for her garden, especially her roses, that they used for their brochures and that she received the honor of a Master Gardener Award from the Friends of Manito. She was also known for her homemade ice cream that she and her neighbors made for the staff, friends, family and residents of Rockwood each August. Her last ice cream social had 175 guests. Mom loved to read and write. Mom wrote four books on her family history that she had printed for her family for future generations. She was also a crochet enthusiast, creating many potholders. She had many friendships during her lifetime and will be deeply missed.
Greeting her with open arms in Heaven is her husband Joe, her parents, siblings and toddler son, Michael.
Remembering her legacy are daughters: Diana Triesch (Bart), Debra Kauffman (Tom), JoEllen Hert (Steve); nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two stepchildren and their families.
A family service was held December 30, 2020. Family suggests, if so inclined, to send donations to the Rockwood Residents Assistance Endowment Fund at 2903 E. 25th Ave., Spokane, WA 99223 or a charity of your choice. God Bless you, Mom, for everything.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Feb. 7, 2021
When her kids got older, she went to work as the office manager of an oral surgeon's office for 18 years. Finally, before she retired, she managed the Spokane Realtor Licensing Department for the State of Washington. Once retired, Helen and Joe enjoyed each other's company, family and even traveled a bit. They were married for 53 wonderful years until Joe passed in 2000. Mom loved living at Rockwood Retirement Community for the past 20 years and was well loved by the residents and staff.
She will always be remembered at Rockwood for her garden, especially her roses, that they used for their brochures and that she received the honor of a Master Gardener Award from the Friends of Manito. She was also known for her homemade ice cream that she and her neighbors made for the staff, friends, family and residents of Rockwood each August. Her last ice cream social had 175 guests. Mom loved to read and write. Mom wrote four books on her family history that she had printed for her family for future generations. She was also a crochet enthusiast, creating many potholders. She had many friendships during her lifetime and will be deeply missed.
Greeting her with open arms in Heaven is her husband Joe, her parents, siblings and toddler son, Michael.
Remembering her legacy are daughters: Diana Triesch (Bart), Debra Kauffman (Tom), JoEllen Hert (Steve); nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two stepchildren and their families.
A family service was held December 30, 2020. Family suggests, if so inclined, to send donations to the Rockwood Residents Assistance Endowment Fund at 2903 E. 25th Ave., Spokane, WA 99223 or a charity of your choice. God Bless you, Mom, for everything.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Feb. 7, 2021
DENNIS, Helen was a strong, intelligent and independent Lady. That is why our theory "She left during the windstorm to catch the Christmas Star for her ride into Heaven" rings so true. She passed away in the morning hours of December 22, 2020 of natural causes. Born on April 18, 1927 in Potlatch, Idaho to Lee and Mae Tyson, Helen was the youngest sibling to Elbert (brother) and Viola (sister). Growing up during the depression and WWII, her family moved often around the NW to find work. She graduated from Saint Maries High School in 1946 and then immediately boarded a bus for Spokane to work for Darigold Company, attend night school at Kinman Business School and lived at Park View Girls Club. Shortly after moving to Spokane, she met Joe Dennis, a dashing Italian, and they married March 27, 1947. Mom was an entrepreneur and made many friends. Together with her good friend, Bonnie, they handmade Barbie and Ken clothes and crayon aprons that they sold to the Crescent store to help support their families while their kids were young.
When her kids got older, she went to work as the office manager of an oral surgeon's office for 18 years. Finally, before she retired, she managed the Spokane Realtor Licensing Department for the State of Washington. Once retired, Helen and Joe enjoyed each other's company, family and even traveled a bit. They were married for 53 wonderful years until Joe passed in 2000. Mom loved living at Rockwood Retirement Community for the past 20 years and was well loved by the residents and staff.
She will always be remembered at Rockwood for her garden, especially her roses, that they used for their brochures and that she received the honor of a Master Gardener Award from the Friends of Manito. She was also known for her homemade ice cream that she and her neighbors made for the staff, friends, family and residents of Rockwood each August. Her last ice cream social had 175 guests. Mom loved to read and write. Mom wrote four books on her family history that she had printed for her family for future generations. She was also a crochet enthusiast, creating many potholders. She had many friendships during her lifetime and will be deeply missed.
Greeting her with open arms in Heaven is her husband Joe, her parents, siblings and toddler son, Michael.
Remembering her legacy are daughters: Diana Triesch (Bart), Debra Kauffman (Tom), JoEllen Hert (Steve); nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two stepchildren and their families.
A family service was held December 30, 2020. Family suggests, if so inclined, to send donations to the Rockwood Residents Assistance Endowment Fund at 2903 E. 25th Ave., Spokane, WA 99223 or a charity of your choice. God Bless you, Mom, for everything.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Feb. 7, 2021
When her kids got older, she went to work as the office manager of an oral surgeon's office for 18 years. Finally, before she retired, she managed the Spokane Realtor Licensing Department for the State of Washington. Once retired, Helen and Joe enjoyed each other's company, family and even traveled a bit. They were married for 53 wonderful years until Joe passed in 2000. Mom loved living at Rockwood Retirement Community for the past 20 years and was well loved by the residents and staff.
She will always be remembered at Rockwood for her garden, especially her roses, that they used for their brochures and that she received the honor of a Master Gardener Award from the Friends of Manito. She was also known for her homemade ice cream that she and her neighbors made for the staff, friends, family and residents of Rockwood each August. Her last ice cream social had 175 guests. Mom loved to read and write. Mom wrote four books on her family history that she had printed for her family for future generations. She was also a crochet enthusiast, creating many potholders. She had many friendships during her lifetime and will be deeply missed.
Greeting her with open arms in Heaven is her husband Joe, her parents, siblings and toddler son, Michael.
Remembering her legacy are daughters: Diana Triesch (Bart), Debra Kauffman (Tom), JoEllen Hert (Steve); nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two stepchildren and their families.
A family service was held December 30, 2020. Family suggests, if so inclined, to send donations to the Rockwood Residents Assistance Endowment Fund at 2903 E. 25th Ave., Spokane, WA 99223 or a charity of your choice. God Bless you, Mom, for everything.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Feb. 7, 2021
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