Helen Elnora Ahlschwede

Helen Sophie Elnora Dunning Ahlschwede was born June 15,1927 to Martin and Mary Dunning in Los Angeles, California. Helen was an only child who, at a young age, developed a strong lifelong love for and faith in the Lord amidst difficult circumstances brought on by the Great Depression. Helen was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Culver City, California. After graduating from Alexander Hamilton High School, Helen worked for the FBI as a clerk. She met her husband, Roy Ahlschwede, at a church event, and on October 15, 1955, Helen and Roy were married in South Gate, California. Six weeks prior to their marriage, Helen’s mother, Mary, passed away and her father, Martin, lived with them throughout their married life.

In 1958, God blessed Helen and Roy with their first daughter, Gail, and in 1960, they were blessed again with another daughter, Julie. Helen was a “Domestic Engineer”, working full-time at home. She was always busy cooking, sewing, and gardening, with their home and backyard being a gathering place for the neighborhood. The family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1967, where she became the “Avon Lady” who could outwalk anyone. They loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, with Detroit Lake being one of their favorite camping memories. She delighted in actively serving in many capacities at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, including being a Sunday School teacher and room mother. She also served as a volunteer coordinator at Concordia Lutheran High School. In her later years, Helen worked at U.S. Bank.

After 24 years of marriage, her husband, Roy, passed away of lung cancer in 1980, leaving Helen a widow at age 52. She never remarried and continued to live in Northeast Portland, Oregon, then Vancouver, Washington before moving to Mary’s Woods Retirement Community in Lake Oswego, Oregon in 2001. Wherever she lived, Helen welcomed family and friends into her home and will be remembered for her hospitality and servant mindset with her concern and love for others. She enjoyed traveling with her family, celebrating holidays together, and attending Community of Faith Lutheran Church in West Linn, Oregon. Helen’s faith, humor, and laugh brought life into every room she entered and gave deep joy to her family and friends.

Helen’s example of a God-centered life will be remembered by her daughters: Gail (Dale) Stockamp and Julie (Curt) Meuler; five grandchildren: Joshua (Danielle) Meuler, Nathan (Bethany) Meuler, Lindsey (Ryan) Snider, Matthew Stockamp, and Mark (Abigail) Stockamp; and seven great-grandchildren. Helen went Home to be with the Good Lord on March 7, 2024. In her words, “My faith in Jesus is my greatest blessing. I am forever grateful for the love of God and my family. Always remember Jesus is your Lord and Savior and the source of your faith. Grow in love for God and each other.”

Helen will be buried next to her beloved, Roy, on Monday, March 18th in a family service at Finley-Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon, followed by a public memorial service at 3pm in the Chapel at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary, located at 6801 SW Sunset Hwy, Portland OR, 97225. Any memorial gifts may be directed to Mission Increase (www.missionincrease.org) or Community of Faith Lutheran Church in West Linn, Oregon.

Please feel free to share your condolences, warm memories, and cherished photos on this page to be shared with all who loved Helen. All contributions posted by 3/31/2024 will also be printed into a hardcover memory book for Helen's family.