Helen M. Vanderwilt, 88

Helen M. Vanderwilt of Coeur d'Alene passed away on Aug. 29, 2014, at the age of 88 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, she has been residing at Hayden Country Guest Home in Hayden, Idaho.

Helen was born on Oct. 9, 1925, in Silverton, Ore. She was one of 10 children and has a sister, Jean, and brother, Murl, still living in Oregon.

Helen was working in Salem, Ore., when she met and married Earl Vanderwilt in 1945. They remained in that area until 1951 when they moved to Redmond, Ore., where Helen worked alongside her husband running their ranches and caring for their family. They moved their family to Coeur d'Alene in 1963 where Helen worked for the U.S. Forest Service Tree Nursery. She retired after 25 years in 1990.

Helen and Earl had six children - Marilyn, Reynold, Marje, Vivian, Monte, and Kirtis. Helen became a grandmother (affectionately known as Granny) to 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Helen enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling with her husband. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family around the kitchen table, and loved to work in her garden and spend time with her dog, Chewy.

From the time she was young, Helen began caring for her younger brothers and sisters, and she carried that caring and giving throughout her entire life with family, friends, and neighbors in their times of need.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; son Reynold; grandson Brian; and great grandson, Dustin. She is survived by her children Marilyn Vanderwilt, Marje Peterson (Vern), Vivian Worth (Mark), Monte Vanderwilt, and Kirtis Vanderwilt; her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; sister Jean Zimmerman (Bob) of Portland, Ore., and brother Murl Holm (Mary) of Sisters, Ore.

The family would like to thank Hayden Country Guest Home and Hospice of North Idaho for the kindness and care they have provided her for the last several years.

Visitation will be from 4 - 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Helen's memory to the Priest River Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 1626, Priest River, Idaho, 83856, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 2003 Kootenai Health Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 83814.

Please visit Helen's memorial and sign the online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.