Helen Hope Neuhaus

Helen Neuhaus passed peacefully to her eternal rest and heavenly home on January 10, 2013, with family at her side. Born Helen Thompson in 1927, in a small Illinois town along the Mississippi River, she enjoyed a long and wonderful life. After high school and employment in an oil refinery office, Helen moved to Ventura County in 1950 to marry Lloyd Neuhaus and begin her new life in California. Helen and Lloyd were married 51 years and enjoyed many wonderful times and adventures. Their lives were focused and built around family, church, work, friends and many travels. A faithful and dedicated member for over 60 years of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oxnard, Helen served as a volunteer at the church in many varied capacities over those six decades. Helen and Lloyd raised two children at their home in Oxnard and the house was always alive with friends, family and joyful times. Never happier than when together with those she loved, Helen was a legendary hostess for countless gatherings of family and friends - times highlighted by her wonderful cooking combined with spirited conversation, and hours of stories and laughter.

In recent years Helen struggled with many health problems, but despite those challenges she maintained her faith, energy and wonderful sense of humor, savoring time with her friends and family and always making them laugh. After losing her husband and travelling companion, and even after loss of her eyesight and mounting health problems, Helen continued to travel to those she loved as long as she could and always found ways to celebrate and enjoy life. Her family and many friends share a great sense of loss but also feel very blessed and thankful for Helen’s presence in their lives.

Helen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Mona Neuhaus of Oxnard; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Scott Euken of Kaneohe, Hawaii; two grandsons, Daniel Euken and Timothy Euken; sister Ruth Ann Braden; cousin, Pam Erwin, and many loving relatives, all of whom hold joyful memories of the good times shared and Helen’s energy, lively spirit and humor. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Marilyn, and her beloved husband Lloyd.

Helen’s family wishes to acknowledge and thank the wonderful staff of Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura and the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association Hospice program, who did so much to make Cypress Place a home for her.

A Memorial Service in celebration and honor of Helen’s life and faith will be held Saturday, January 19, 2013, 1:00 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1500 North “C” Street, Oxnard.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the memorial fund of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Oxnard, the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, or the Santa Barbara Braille Institute.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura.