Claudia Grace Helmer

Obituary Claudia Grace Helmer   Claudia Helmer went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 7, 2015. She was 93 years old, the youngest and last survivor of 16 children. She was born on August 29, 1921, in Richardton, North Dakota to Magdelene and Valentine Hoerner. Her parents were German emigrants who fled from Russia (Ukraine), when the Bolsheviks invaded, to Alsace-Lorraine (now in France) before coming to America. Claudia was raised on a farm in North Dakota with her large family. They later moved to Spokane, WA where she met the love of her life, Erwin Helmer. They married in 1945 and had two daughters, Karen Kuchan (Dan) and Cheryl Van Bodegraven (George). She had 3 grandchildren, Cynthia Jeske (Phil), Scott Teitge, and Brian (Rebecca) Van Bodegraven. She has 5 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jayden, and Madelyn Van Bodegraven; Xavier and Oliver Jeske. Claudia was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an industrious woman, always very busy keeping a spotless home. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed gardening for hours at a time. Claudia's family was her greatest priority in life, which also included her larger family of brothers and sisters, and their families. She loved holidays or any occasion when her family came together. She planned and prepared meals for days in advance. No one left her home without being stuffed and leaving with food she'd made for them to eat later. She also loved shopping, especially with her daughter, Cheryl. They often made shopping a full day event, spending hours together in search of treasures. Claudia always dressed beautifully and, after a days work inside or outside her home, she would change her clothes to greet her husband when he came home from work. Pride in her appearance lasted throughout her life and was important to her even on her days of poorest health. It meant a lot to her to make sure she always looked her best. Her husband Erwin had a passion for golfing and Claudia loved being his caddy, but only if she was driving the golf cart. They shared many hours of fun with their daughter, Cheryl, and sons-in-law, George and Dan, and George's father, Van. Many favorite family stories were of Claudia's overzealous cart driving, especially on one occasion where she nearly turned over the cart coming down a hill too fast. Claudia and Erwin loved a variety of music. After retirement they bought a large organ and began lessons. They thoroughly enjoyed playing the organ although occasionally they would bicker over whose turn it was to play! Claudia had few friendships that lasted a lifetime. She met her dear friend, Dorothy Hume, in her high school days. They raised families together, lost spouses, coped with health challenges and, even when both experienced hearing loss that made conversation by phone difficult, they managed to keep in touch. Claudia was a woman of deep faith that grew until the last days of her life. Although she will be deeply missed, it is comforting to Claudia's family to know she is at peace in the presence of her Heavenly Father, and that she is once again reunited with her many loved ones. A funeral service will be held Friday, March 20, 2015 at 11:00am at Gaffney Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 7:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Interment at Holyrood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation. P.O. Box 871847, Kansas City, MO 64187-1847; or online to pkdcure.org. Please leave online condolences atwww.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27-28)