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- [S5] Obituary.
Agnes HELLING Obituary
Agnes Marie Helling, a longtime resident of Spokane Valley, passed away on December 27, 2023. She was 96.
Agnes was born to Esther Jorgenson and Albert Gamache on August 14, 1927, in Oregon City, Oregon. Soon after, her parents moved back to the Gamache farm on the Missouri River in North Dakota where Agnes grew up with her younger sister Patsy. Surviving the 'dry years' as mom would call them or the 'Dust Bowl' as we learned in history, she lived through times that now seem impossible to overcome with what little they had back then.
After graduating from Wheelock High School in 1945 and because of a teacher shortage in North Dakota, she took and passed the state teaching certificate test and became a teacher at the age of 19. In the early 1950s, she attended Minot State College, graduating with a major in education and a minor in Science and Psychology. She was a teacher for over 30 years in North Dakota, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
Next, Agnes accepted an opportunity to teach in Sandpoint, Idaho. She loved Sandpoint but continued to go home during the summer months. While at home, she met and fell in love with Wesley Helling whom she married in 1958. They lived in Williston, ND, and had three children ? Danny, Kathy, and Annette. In 1966 they moved to Spokane and began building the house they called home for the next 55 years.
Along with teaching, Agnes enjoyed music, poetry, vegetable farming, and taking care of animals. We always remember her singing, and playing the piano and the accordion. A lifelong poet herself, Agnes could recite entire poems, and not just one stanza but lengthy poems she learned in grade school. In the fall, Agnes would be outside until dark picking beans from the garden to avoid the freeze and it seemed she was always nursing animals back to health.
A humble woman of true integrity, she lived her life by 'working hard and doing the right thing'. She genuinely treated others with respect and kindness and focused on providing her children with the best life possible without worrying about herself.
As mom and grandma to those who knew her best, she will be forever remembered for her selflessness and generosity. Wanting more for her kids than what she had, she was a proud mom who loved to have fun. When she taught at Great Northern, a one-room schoolhouse west of Spokane, she played softball and kickball with her students, including all three of her children in 1971.
This youthful personality continued with her grandkids, teaching them that life isn't about the things you have ? it's about enjoying the life you have.
Her ability to sacrifice, provide, support, understand, and love are gifts that she leaves behind as her legacy for all of us to emulate. Words seem inadequate in describing how much we loved her and appreciated her. We miss you so much!
Agnes is survived by two daughters, Kathy and Annette (Danny); four granddaughters, Sarah, Sammie (Maddie), Ashlee, and Lily; and one great-grandson, Khairi. She is preceded in death by her son, Daniel; her husband, Wesley; and her sister, Patricia.
The family would like to thank Ridgeview Memory Care and the Hospice care team. Their love and patience were so much appreciated.
Family and friends, please join us for a celebration of Agnes's life on Wednesday, January 17 at 12:00 PM (noon) at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Jan. 7, 2024.
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