Helen’s battle with cancer ended, May 6, 2013, in the Hospice House in Hayden. She was born in Santa Paula, Calif., on May 4, 1925. Helen, an angel on Earth, now resides with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and four of her five children in heaven.

Helen and former husband, Warren Craiger Parker, were blessed with five children. Four of her children and her former husband preceded her in death all due to cancer. Son, Craiger Carl Parker, a retired Army Colonel, passed away in 2000. His twin brother, Gregory Irwin Parker, a Youth Pastor, passed away in 1978. Rebecca Lynn (Parker) Culver, a much loved teacher, passed away in 1984, and Frank Alfred Parker, her youngest son, a printer for newspapers and magazines, passed away in 2011. Her remaining son, Mark S. Parker and wife Jan, resides in Sonora, Calif. Helen is also survived by her loving husband, Leland (Lee); stepdaughter Eileen Meader and husband Karl of Arvada, Colo.; stepson Dale Ohrt and wife Ann of Hayden; and nine grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and numerous friends here and across the country.

During her younger years as a military wife, Helen was happy with her job as a nurse. She traveled extensively moving from one military base to another. She especially enjoyed living in Japan where she had happy memories cooking for young GI’s far from home.

Helen spoke often of her family and said, “My family is much loved and in spite of the cancers they each lived full productive lives.” She raised a Christian family and served the Lord by serving others. She lived her life as a testimony of her love for the Lord, always smiling, kind and loving, even when stricken with cancer. Helen continued to uplift others and be an encouragement to them. Her faith was evident in all she said or did. For a little lady, Helen had a big tenor voice. She loved to sing. If there was a group singing she would have been a part of it.

Helen and Leland were married in 1997. Helen had been a widow for 20 years when Leland came into her life. She felt Leland was a gift from God and shared her feelings openly that she was extremely blessed to be his wife. They loved traveling in their RV with their precious dogs, Pixie and Duchess, making lifetime friendships wherever they went. Helen and Lee have always welcomed a house full of friends — Welcomers Club potlucks, woodworkers or friends from church, all come for good food and good conversation. In 2000 they moved from California to Hayden and two years ago moved to Leisure Park.

We can be assured that upon her arrival in heaven, God greeted Helen by saying, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Her goal was to live to the age of 88 and she did so by two days.

The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013, at the Coeur d’Alane Church of the Nazarene, located at Fourth Street and Kathleen Avenue. Pastor Ron Hunter will officiate. Please visit Helen’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.