Helen Estelle Piller, 94

Nov. 23, 1921 — April 6, 2016

Helen E. Piller passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2016, from infirmities of age. She was 94 years old. Helen was born in Granite, Idaho, Nov. 23, 1921, to Dean F. and Estella F. (Ames) Rooks. She was the sixth of 11 children. She attended the first grade at Granite after which the family moved to Spirit Lake, where she graduated from high school.

After graduating from high school, Helen moved to Coeur d’Alene where she worked at various jobs and attended business college after which she began working as a secretary for the Idaho Department of Welfare. Helen and Robert D. Piller married on May 10, 1941, and they soon moved to Wallace, Idaho, where she continued to work for the Department of Welfare. When World War II broke out, Bob enlisted in the service and she transferred back to Coeur d’Alene where she worked another year before relocating to Renton, Wash., to work for Boeing Aircraft for one year. She then moved to Spokane, Wash., and worked for the Naval Supply Depot.

When the war ended, Bob and Helen moved to Hayden Lake. They had two sons, Rod and Greg. As soon as the boys began school, Helen went to work for the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office until 1973 when she went to work for Coeur d’Alene High School for the next seven years and after that for the University of Idaho until 1985. After retirement, she worked as a volunteer for Kootenai Health Auxiliary for several years.

Helen’s life revolved around her family. Her door was always open to her children, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She once traveled with two other family members to Ireland to explore her Irish roots.

She is survived by sons Rod and wife Jo, and Greg and wife Debbie; grandchildren Doug, Jackee, Chad, Michael, Sherie and Jay; as well as several great-grandchildren; brother Robert and wife Jackie; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; granddaughter Katherine Elisabeth; brothers Al, Burt, Wade, Jack, Earl and Mel; and sisters Emma, Evelyn, Eva Eileen and Vivian.

English Funeral Chapels of Coeur d’Alene is taking care of arrangements.

At Helen’s request, no funeral services will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kootenai Health Auxiliary, 2003 Kootenai Health Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.