Helen Norris Asche

Helen was born October 31, 1936, in Eau Claire, WI to Earl C. Bishop and Mary Slattery Bishop. Helen was raised in Nebraska attending Curtis Elementary and high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture also in Curtis. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics and Journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1958.

Upon graduation she married fellow Nebraska graduate Ensign Richard Edward Asche from Schuyler, NE and immediately joined him in moving to San Diego, CA for active duty in the US Navy. The following 21 years included moves to duty stations in Great Lakes, IL; Athens, GA; Long Beach, CA; New Orleans, LA; Omaha, NE; Sacramento, CA; Port Hueneme, CA; Ogden, UT; and Port Orchard, WA. After his retirement from the service in 1979, she was the co-founder of a transportation business with her husband in Kitsap County, WA. A life-long Nebraska Husker fan she was the founder of the Washington Cornhuskers booster club. Helen finally settled in Chandler, AZ and became an active Corporate Sponsor of the Chandler-Tullamore (Ireland) Sister Cities (CTSC). She had many creative interests and projects most importantly a genealogical search of her proud Irish Heritage. Helen loved to travel and provided many amazing educational experiences for her family and grandchildren. She fulfilled her dream of returning to Ireland along with the CTSC members’ this past May. Helen was an inspiration to all she came into contact with, instilling fortitude and independence in her children and grandchildren. Her belief in the power of education was an example to all.

She was a proud third generation Nebraskan, all four of her grandparents being pioneers and immigrant settlers. Helen is survived by her ex-husband Richard, Port Orchard, WA and four loving children; son, Gregory Thomas Asche (Cheryl Comer) of Gig Harbor, WA, and three daughters, E. Lisabeth Asche (Terry DeBiase) of Tempe, AZ, Lynne Koll (David) of Yuba City, CA and Mary Allison O’Hare (Ryan) of Tacoma, WA. She is also survived by her younger brother, James Albert Bishop of Seattle, WA and sister-in-law, Linda Bishop of Pass Christian, MS. She was a generous and loving grandmother to seven grandchildren; Steven, Lauren, Evan, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Olivia, and Rowan. She also leaves behind a cherished companion, her dog Annie. She is predeceased by her parents and two brothers, William (infant) and John Alan Bishop as well as her youngest son, Richard Andrew who passed unexpectedly in May of 2013.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2015, at Valley of the Sun Mortuary in Chandler, AZ. A Rosary and Catholic Mass will also be held on Friday, August 28, 2015, beginning at 9:15 a.m. at St. Steven’s Catholic Church in Chandler. Her ashes will be distributed among her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chandler–Tullamore (Ireland) Sister Cities, Student Ambassador Exchange Program (www.chandlerirish.org), a charitable foundation that creates educational opportunities for young students to study in Ireland. Checks may be made payable to CTSC, and send to PO Box 1474, Chandler, AZ 85244-1474.