Helen LaRayne Magnus, 71, of Pinehurst, passed away March 11, 2012, at the Kootenai Medical Center, of Coeur d’ Alene, after battling cancer for 22 years.

She was born July 7, 1940, at Coeur d’Alene; Helen was the daughter of Ivan and Ardis (Crooks) Carpenter.

Helen attended Kingston high school. She was a lifelong resident of the Silver Valley. Helen married Dale Magnus on Feb. 14, 1957, at Coeur d’Alene.

Helen had served as a clerk at Barney’s Harvest Foods for more than 25 years until her retirement.

Helen was a member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church of Pinehurst.

Family was number one to Helen — she loved having family get-togethers and preparing meals for them; she also loved and enjoyed sewing, flower gardening and decorating for the holidays.

Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Dale Magnus, of the family home of Pinehurst; six children Danny Magnus of Mullan, Cindy Magnus and her companion Mike Galloway of Moscow, Mark and Judy Magnus of Pinehurst, Cathy Savage and her companion Clint Townsend of Harrison, Christy (Steve) Casey of Coeur d’Alene, and Colleen (Danny) Sanders of Coeur d’Alene; 12 grandchildren Wade, Micah, Nicki, Angie, Johnny, Casey, Tiffany, Waylan, Lacey, Summer, Tyler and Tanner; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister Nora Newell of Kingston; one brother Marshall (Patty) Blann of Deer Park, Wash.; one brother-in-law Delmar Beamis of Kingston; she is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; she was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Marshall Blann, one sister Gerry Beamis and two brothers Leonard and Ivan Carpenter.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at the Our Savior Lutheran Church of Pinehurst, with Rev. Ken Bartle officiating.

A reception for family and friends will be held at the Church following services.

Interment will be held at the Hunt Cemetery of Kingston.

You may sign Helen’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

Shoshone Funeral Services and Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with funeral arrangements.