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Helen Jean (Downs) Lebsack

Aug. 16, 1921 – June 18, 2018

Helen Lebsack, of Spokane, Wash., passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018, at The Village at Orchard Ridge in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she had been surrounded by the love and support of her family.

Helen was born on Aug. 16, 1921, in McCook, Neb., to Joseph and Katherine Downs.

Helen married the love of her life, CMSAF Raymond Lebsack (Ret.) on her 18th birthday, Aug. 16, 1939. Together they traveled the world through Raymond’s years of service in the USAF. They were married for 70 wonderful years.

Helen enjoyed volunteering for the Service League at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where she devoted 30 years of service to the gift shop. Helen also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals and smiles to individuals. If there was a chance for her to be busy and on the move she would jump at the opportunity, no matter what it was, as long as she could visit with others and be out and about doing it. Another passion of hers was quilting. She belonged to a quilt club and made many quilts for her family as well as donating them to Meals on Wheels, the Wounded Warrior Project and other charities she held dear to her heart.

Anyone who knew Helen could tell you that her greatest accomplishment was her family. She was so proud of each and every one of her family members and loved them with her whole heart. She was such an inspiration to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she passed on some of the most amazing qualities one could give: love, kindness, understanding, and of course, everyone inherited Gma’s sweet tooth.

Helen is survived by two of her sons, Lt. Col. Gerald Lee Lebsack (Ret.) and wife Kelly, and Alan Michael Lebsack; six grandchildren, Commander Michael Lebsack (USCG Ret.) and wife Donna, Steve Lebsack and wife Shelby, Matthew Lebsack and wife Teressa, Shane Lebsack and wife Linda, Jodi Clark and husband Sam, Tom Lebsack and wife Haley; 10 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jesse, Jeremiah, Juliyana, Ashton, Triston, Madeline, Jackson, Casen and Myla; and two sisters, Eileen and Mary.

She will be greeted in heaven with a big “Ooo-Ahh” by her husband, CMSAF Raymond Lebsack; her parents; sisters, Elizabeth, Roberta and Josephine; her son, Lt. Col Raymond Lynn (Ret.) and her granddaughter, Sunny.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, at New Hope Christian Center, 1108 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99212. Commitment immediately following at 1 p.m., at St. Joseph Cemetery, 17825 E. Trent, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Christian Center 1108 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99212, or to Meals on Wheels- Spokane Valley.

“Ooo-Ahh Grandma, you will be forever in our hearts.”