Helen I. Foss

Aug. 3, 1918-Jan. 30, 2011

The dear precious mother of our friend and neighbor Norman Foss has joined her beloved husband Melvin J. Foss in rest. We share the loss with the family who wish to thank Dr. Zazueta for helping Helen in her transition. Also St. Joseph Hospital and Timer Ridge for the excellent care of this very special lady. She had a very loving heart and a strong faith in Jehovah God which led her to dedicate her life to him and become a baptized Witness of his on November 8, 1953. Her courage, strength and tenacity have caused her to survive these 92 years. God certainly blessed her life with a loving husband and three wonderful sons who grew to praise her amazing qualities. Helen and Melvin raised their boys on a small picturesque cattle ranch at Stone Lagoon which was homesteaded by Melvin's grandfather after the Civil War. Helen and Melvin moved up on the ranch in 1946 where she lived most of her life. The boys attended the famous little red schoolhouse, still a landmark at Stone Lagoon. Norm, Don and Robert thought it was the perfect life and Helen and Melvin agreed. They lived a good life. They lived it well. To honor Helen's life, a short poem: You're remembered dear Helen in footprints of life at Stone Lagoon. Your frontier life there dwelling under sun and moon. Your Foss ranch cattle were about twenty head. And so many calves your faithfully bottle fed. We remember your fragrant roses, your lovely gardens so grand. Produced with love and weeding and a green thumb on your hand. That cabbage butterfly had best flee, cause if by chance you'd see. His frame you would whack it with your trusty tennis racket. First son Norm kept honey bees, sometimes he'd rob their hives. Once they killed mom's chickens, fortunately he's still alive. At the Hall when Norm would speak about God's kingdom that we seek, she would treasure his words to keep and would never fall asleep. She loved trains to travel, maybe a romantic notion, how sweet to sleep in dreams resting in rhythmic motion. Now, the sleeper train will take her there to a paradise in God's care. He will wipe away her tears, then she will return to younger years. (Rev. 21:3, 4) Helen is survived by her sons Norman and wife Joyce from Eureka, Don and wife Tamara from Billings, MT, Robert and wife Linda from Citrus Heights, CA. Her brothers Kenneth and wife Marge McFarlin from Lebanon, OR, Keith McFarlin from St. Joseph, MO, and her sister Marge Richardson from Portland, OR. Her grandchildren are Leah Holt and her husband Alan of Eureka, Adena and her husband Phil from Rochester, NY, Julia Brashear and her husband Alan from Fortuna, Priscilla Borba from Mt. Shasta and J.B. Foss and his mother Doris Foss. Her great grandchildren are Shastina Bohan, John Larson, and Jaydon Foss. Her great great grandchildren are Sierra Bohan and Lily Cradic. A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 4511 Campton Road, Eureka, on Saturday February 19, 2011 at 2:00 PM. Arrangements are under the care of Pierce Mortuary Chapel, Eureka, CA 707-442-3751, www.pierce mortuarychapels.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on February 15, 2011