Helen R. Dowling's Obituary
Our beloved mother and friend, Helen R. Dowling 93, went on before us to her Lord and Savior on Jan. 19, 2004 from Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, WA. She was born on Sept. 17, 1910 in Harrisburg, So Dakota to William and Jenny Kooima. Her parents came to the U. S. from Holland a few years prior to her birth.On Sept. 17, 1934 Helen married Clarence E. Dowling. Born to this union and surviving her are, Shirley (Charles) Blanford of Rainier, Barbara (Ray) Miller of Silver Creek, and David E. Dowling of Montesano; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and 4 great, great-grandchildren survive her. She was a treasured and loved lady to each one of us. She gave of herself continually and the welcome never ended. She was a superb cook and hostess, whose greatest joy was serving any who gathered at her home.Following high school, Helen went on to graduate from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, So Dakota. She then taught school in a one room school house on the plains of western South Dakota. Helen and Clarence moved to Chehalis in 1941. During WW II they moved to Tacoma for a time, during which they both worked at Boeing. From there they became residents of Yelm for several years.Upon moving back to Tacoma in 1951, Helen became a case worker for DSHS, at that time the Pierce County Welfare Dept. Following her retirement, she was on staff for several years as a visitation minister at the First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma.Her husband, Clarence, her parents, two sisters, Jeanette and Frances, and a granddaughter, Jenny Miller predeceased her.She resided with her son David, the past 5 years in Montesano. She continued to live a vital life, enjoying crossword puzzles, reading, doing hand sewn crafts and staying current on family happenings and world events. She was a member there of the Montesano Presbyterian ChurchIn the example of her Christ-like life she showed us how to live, and how to die. Her strong faith in her Lord ministered to us all in her departing hours and at her crossing over. She sang with us of the peace in her heart. What a comfort it was then and will continue to be. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Living Way Church, 8605 Washington Blvd. SW, Lakewood, Telephone (253) 582-7414, on February 7th at 1:00 P.M. Oh, how she would welcome all!
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