Obituary: Helm, Ethel Belle Colby
She had one sister Thelma deceased and one brother Mel of Spokane.
Ethel graduated from West Valley High School the class of 1947.
She enjoyed many life long friends from those high school years.
She attended Linfield College prior to her marriage to Donald J.
Helm in March of 1950.
While working the family cattle ranch west of Cheney the couple had their first child a girl, Leanne in June of 1953.
A second child their son Roger, was born in April 1955.
In 1966 Don and Ethel formed a partnership and purchased Ratcliffe Ford in Cheney.
They subsequently moved to Cheney leaving the farm life behind.
Ethel worked for years at Eastern Washington University and later operated the Ratcliffe Auto Licensing Agency until her retirement.
Ethel and Don enjoyed 52 years of marriage and a fine retirement as they traveled to nearly every state in their motor home.
Don passed away in Aug. 2002.
While spending the winter 2003 in Arizona Ethel meet Norman Hoekstra of North Dakota.
They enjoyed a loving relationship continuing to spend their summers in Spokane and wintering in AZ, until she passed away in Mesa.
She is survived by; her brother, Mel Colby Spokane Valley; son, Roger J.
Helm Spokane Valley; grandson, Justin B.
Helm of Brooklyn NY; grandson, Colby J.
Helm of Spokane and her companion Norman Hoekstra of Gold Canyon AZ.
A memorial service to honor her will be held at the Cheney Funeral Chapel at 3:00 Monday, June 15th.