Helen Maier's Obituary
Helen Maier was born in Fall Creek Wisconsin on March 29th 1933, but lived in Minnesota, during the Great Depression and World War II. Her great grandparents on her dad’s side were from Ireland. Her mom’s side were from England and France. Food was rationed in those days and jobs were scarce.
They later moved to Miles City, Montana then Grandpa found a job in Spokane, Washington and sent for his family in 1938. Helen was 5 and they came in a Model A that had a rumble seat in back. There were 5 kids and Helen’s mom (Gerry) was 7 months pregnant. If it rained they just put a tarp over their heads. When they arrived, Gerry didn’t have any teeth, her hair was wild and the farmers wife said she thought she looked much, much older than her husband.
She later moved to Shelton, Washington and attended Irene Reed High School. Then they moved to Roy, where she graduated in 1951 from Bethel High with 12 other students. She attended the last graduating class of Roy’s Bethel High before it moved to Spanaway.
She got a typing job at Fort Lewis after she graduated, where she met Joe White. He was discharged from the Army. They were married at the McKenna Church on January 3rd, 1954 and moved to Hawthorne, California where they got jobs with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. They bought a 40 foot trailer to live in. Their daughter Gerry was born and was named after Helen’s mother. Three years later Jolene was born in Torrence California. Six months later they moved to Renton, Washington still living in the trailer.
In 1962 Carol was born, and their family was complete. Joe had a job at Boeing, by then Joe’s friends would come over and they’d play guitars while mom would sing. The marriage came to an end in 1968. She moved into her parents house in McKenna. She had a job as a Secretary at Blume Realty.
In 1969 she married Harvey Maier, and moved to Colorado. One year later they moved back to Washington when her father was diagnosed with Cancer. He later passed away. In 1977 her mother passed away.
They later moved to Parkland where Harvey worked for Concrete Tech. Helen worked for the Tacoma School District, then for Pacific Lutheran University in the cafeteria and in housekeeping for the dorms.
Helen loved sewing; she sewed: Clothing for her children. Costumes for grandchildren and children. Secret pockets for grandchildren. Alterations and mending. Helen is survived by her 3 daughters 5 grandchildren 9 great grandchildren.
Helen loved to be 90.
What’s your fondest memory of Helen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Helen?
Share a story where Helen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Helen you’ll never forget.
How did Helen make you smile?