Helen Elizabeth Staples

Obituary Helen Elizabeth Staples Our beloved mother, Helen, born on November 8, 1921 to Elmer and Rosalia (Illg) Deslauriers in Avoca, Minnesota, passed away on November 29, 2007 in Tacoma, Washington at the age of 86. Helen grew up on the family farm until graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Currie in 1940. After high School she worked as both a waitress at the local Café in Currie and also as a nanny/cook/housekeeper for her Uncle Illg. While employed by her uncle she met the farm hand named Leo, a handsome tough kid also from Avoca, MN. Their mutual attraction brought them together and eventually the two fell in love. However, Leo wanted more adventure and to escape the farm, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was immediately sent to Fort Lewis, WA. Letters and time drew them back together when Leo sent Helen the fare for her transportation to Tacoma and in 1942 they were married at the Fort Lewis Chapel. With employment scarce for women at the time Helen took a job at the Fort Lewis laundry. After Leo's military service expired and with their love for the Northwest, they decided to settle in Lakewood where they raised their family. Eventually Leo retired after 30 years as a Captain in the Fort Lewis Fire Department and Helen as a cook at St. Frances Cabrini School in 1972. Some of her fondest memories were of the kids she served while at St. Frances. For several years after Cabrini she, along with her good friend Julie Coriell catered many weddings, funerals and other special events. Helen's kitchen was always busy with her making and baking. Helen was a devout Catholic and her religion held a primary place in her life. She was a very strong person who was not afraid to share her opinion. She had a genuine interest in and compassion for other people while her beloved family was her proudest accomplishment. Until her recent health problems she was a very independent lady as well providing transportation as needed to others who couldn't get to church or their healthcare appointments. She was also a very active member of her church, holding several leadership positions in both the church and Catholic Daughters, locally and statewide. In fact, several of the Catholic Daughters from St. Frances Cabrini were there by her side during her side during her waning hours providing comfort and support. They were wonderful. Helen's favorite hobbies were celebrating God, gardening, cooking and assisting the less fortunate. At Cabrini, she was affectionately known as the "pie lady" for the several and different pies, sometimes over 60, which she would bake at any one time in order to help with church and school fund raising activities. They could always rely on Helen. There was never a birthday, anniversary or holiday in which she missed sending cards and letters and although she hasn't seen some of these people in over 50 years she still communicated. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, in 1983, her son Raymond in 2001 and her sister Joyce Homan in Minnesota 2007. She is survived by her two sisters, Ethel Madson and Verdella Slater, her brother Norbert Deslauriers, all of Minnesota. Two sons Ronald (University Place) and Randal (Spokane). She delighted in having three special daughters in law, Cecile (Fircrest), Vickey (Spokane) and Patti (Minnesota). They were here best friends and confidants and were great mothers to her eight grandsons, Michael, Shawn, Joseph, Steve, Jay, Jeremy, Ryan and Scott. She also has eleven great-grandchildren. Other kids were also touched by her giving and kindness and today in their adult lives still refer to her as their grandmother. A special thanks to the ladies at the Franciscan Hospice House for their caring and tenderness over the last few days of her life. Helen was an inspiration to all and will be deeply missed. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday , December 5, 2007 11:00 am at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Lakewood. Rosary will be recited on Tuesday December 4, 2007 7:00 pm at the church. Entombment at Calvary Cloisters.