Helen Marie (Sanders) Drumhiller

Helen Marie (Sanders) Drumhiller passed on April 15, 2023, just three days shy of her 92nd birthday, in Spokane, Washington. She lived 89 years in the Yakima area before moving to Spokane to be near family for the last couple years of life.

Born in Yakima on April 18, 1931 to Mark and Marie Sanders, she was sister to Gail and Dick. They lived in the Tieton area on a pear ranch. She attended eight years of Common school in Tieton before attending Yakima High (Davis HS) where she graduated in 1949. She then attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing (UW) graduating with her RN in 1952.

Helen married Jack C. Drumhiller on July 4, 1953 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They were happily married for 57 years before his passing in 2010. Together they raised two children - Mary and Mark.

Helen worked as a registered nurse while balancing family life well. She joined with Dr. Capell, then Yakima Surgical Associates before retiring. Known as Nurse Helen to neighbors and family for giving good medical advice, she could also be counted on for good counsel. In 1973, she and Jack joined Claude and Doris Drumhiller in partnership of C and H Hardware.

After retirement, she and Jack spent several seasons wintering in the Palm Desert area, traveling the western states in their motor home, meeting great friends along the way and “loving every minute of it”.

Finding pleasure in her hobbies and service, she enjoyed bowling, sewing, class reunion planning, the movies, casinoing, reading, country music, and also served with the Children’s Home Society.

Spending quality time with her “precious little angels” - Nick, Alex, Kathryn, Jack, and her “littlest precious angel” great-grandson Theodore (6 months) was most important. They had great fun traveling with Nana and Papa in the early years and she knew all of her grandchildren well.

Helen lived her life with joy; as a quiet believer, her faith was exemplified by her actions. Her simple, honest, authentic, no-nonsense nature drew people close to her - the adored friend of many. Truly she cared about knowing people well and her relationships were rich. Her laugh and finding humor through life, we know her as a joyful person who saw the positive and good in her relationships and the simple things of life.

She made friends easily in her last residence of Emilie Court in Spokane…her signature wave, her smile, and twinkle in her eye will be remembered by those she lived with and the caregivers who cared for her until she passed. We are grateful for and remember the dear Caregivers at Emilie Court for their continuous compassion, love, and for the above and beyond quality of care.

She is survived by her children: Mary and son-in-law Craig Hult (Spokane), Mark Drumhiller (Beaverton, Oregon); grandchildren: Nicholas (Carly) and their son Theodore, Alexander, Kathryn (Peter) Garras, Jackson Hult; plus many nephews and nieces. A good wife. A good mother. A good nana. A good aunt. A good friend.

“A Joyful Person is a Compliment to God”…let us remember her legacy of JOY.

Memorial Services at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2023. In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made to Providence Emilie Court at 34 E 8th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202 or Wiley Union Church at PO Box 8354, Yakima, WA 98908

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com.