Helen Schilder

Helen Schilder, 96, of Hanford, California (born Agnes Helen Sybesma) passed peacefully in her sleep on May 30, 2025. Born on May 11, 1929, in Clearwater, California, to Tjalling and Janke Sybesma, she was the sixth of nine children and celebrated her 96th birthday on Mother’s Day 2025. Helen grew up in Southern California, attending Bellflower Christian School for twelve years graduating in 1947. The caption in her senior year book read “She’s not a flower, but a pearl, And an all around athletic girl”. She attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for one year.

Helen married the love of her life, Ralph Schilder, on May 2, 1951. They settled in Valley Center, California, for eight years, where they welcomed three of their five daughters: Charlene, Janet, and Karen. In 1959, they relocated to Bishop, California, where daughters Cindy and Jodi were born. There, they owned Sierra Farms Dairy with Ralph’s brothers, milking cows and processing milk on-site. Helen served as both bookkeeper and in cash-and-carry sales, while Ralph milked cows and delivered milk to homes and businesses, forming a devoted team.

A strong Christian, Helen raised her five daughters in faith, served as a 4-H leader, sang in the choir, was an avid seamstress and cross-stitcher, keeping a warm, safe home for her family. As a child, Helen received a piano, which she moved with her to every home she lived in. Playing by ear, she favored hymns and Christmas songs. Her rendition of ‘Onward Christian Soldiers,’ with her own flair, was a family favorite.

In 1973, the family moved to Armona, California. Helen worked for over thirty years as an instructional aide for the Kings County Superintendent of Schools, teaching emotionally disturbed adolescents with compassion and discipline. Helen retired in 2004.

In 2000, Helen and Ralph moved to Hanford just down the street from her church. She had been a nearly lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in each city she lived, with the exception of Bishop, where she attended First Presbyterian Church. Helen and Ralph were charter members of the CRC in Escondido. In Hanford, she lived next to an elementary school, where she enjoyed watching children walk to and from school, and cherished visiting with her beloved neighbors, whom she fondly called the best. In these later years, Helen also started making colorful pillowcases for children with cancer. She took pride in her quality of work and donated them to hospitals.

Helen is survived by her five loving daughters: Charlene (Russell) Skiff, Janet Marvin, Karen (Steve) Pearce, Cindy (Gordon) Saito, and Jodi (Patrick) Cox. She also leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Shawna Doucette, Staci (Tim) Villarreal, Joshua (Melissa) Skiff, Matthew (Lindsey) Marvin, Kayla Pearce, Nicholas Saito, Audra Saito, Bridget Saito, Ryan (Colleen) Cox, Adam Cox, and Eric Cox; eight great-grandchildren: Makaila Meyer, Kimberly Meyer, Dominic Doucette, Evelyn Villarreal, Nora Villarreal, Wyatt Skiff, Ella Skiff, and Zoey Skiff; one great-great-grandchild, Levi Meyer; and sisters-in-law, Marilynn Sybesma and Karen Sybesma. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Ralph Schilder, and her eight siblings: Durk (Shirley) Sybesma, Ben (Nellie) Sybesma, Wilma (Hans) Vander Veen, Richard (Alice) Sybesma, Charlie (Freda) Sybesma, Bill Sybesma, Anne (Don) Dykema, and Sam Sybesma.

A graveside service will be held at Grangeville Cemetery in Armona, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Reformed Church in Hanford (which can be viewed via livestream at https://boxcast.tv/view/memorial-service-of-helen-schilder-gzyu1qr2rhxrbz15ya5r ).