Helene Bucher

Helene was born to Gertrude and William Herzog on December 12, 1921. She grew up in Ardenwald, near Milwaukie, and attended Ardenwald Elementary School, Milwaukie Junior High and High School. She attended Linfield College for two years, but like many of her generation, had to drop out during World War II and go to work.

Her first love was the field of real estate finance. She began working at Commonwealth, Inc. in downtown Portland, then for the Bank of California in their trust department, and for Securities Intermountain, Inc., honing her skills in the field of loan closing and escrow. In 1957 she went to work for Bucher Realty, where she worked until the early 80s. During that time she became one of the prime movers in the development of the Oregon Escrow Council, ultimately serving the organization as state president. She claims that she closed the first federal VA loan while working at Commonwealth.

In 1943 she married Ward M. Nelson and had two sons. She later divorced, and in 1968, married Wylis Bucher, to whom she was married until his death in 2003.

While living in Garden Home, she was president of the PTA and served as secretary for Garden Home Enterprises, which developed the shopping center across from the school. She later ran for the position of secretary for the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, serving in that capacity for two terms. She was also a member of the Washington County Public Affairs Forum, and from 1989-1992 served as president of the Oregon Multiple Listing Service. In her later years, she was invited to serve on the budget committee for Washington County.

She and Wylis enjoyed boating and were members at one time of the Columbia River Yacht Club. They traveled extensively. Following Wylis’s stroke, she cared for him for many years until his death. With the onset of dementia, she moved to The Springs at Tanasbourne, where she has lived for the past three years. Her longetivity can be attributed to the ministrations of the legendary Dr. Frank Fric and lately of Dr. David Shute of the Greenfield Clinic.

Helene was preceded in death by her husbands, her son Bill, sister Marian, brother Bill, and many friends. She is survived by her son Ward Nelson (Pam) of Beaverton, stepdaughters Judie Fletcher (Ron), Debbie Bucher, and Joy Durham (Winfield), seven grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Remembrances may be made in her name to the building program at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Beaverton.

The family would especially like to thank the wonderful people at The Springs at Tanasbourne for the incredible quality of care they provided her the entire time she lived there. They really live up to the vision of the founder.