Helen Marla Romberg

Helen Marla Bruins was born February 15, 1938 in Orange City, Iowa, the eldest daughter of Ben and Alma Bruins. The family moved to Bellflower, CA when Helen was 2 years old and became longtime members of Bethel Reformed Church. Helen graduated Bellflower High School in 1956. She and David Romberg were married a year later and settled into life in Paramount, CA, where they attended Emmanuel Reformed Church. The newlywed Helen found work as a teller at Bank of America then in Administration at Paramount High School, earning a steady income as they started a family while David attended Compton College, Long Beach State College, and eventually USC Dental School. She earned every letter of her Ph.T degree (Putting Hubby Through) and had the diploma from USC to prove it.

The loving mother of Brian, Susan, and Randy became the center of their busy home, supporting them in every imaginable way from school and church activities to swimming parties and sleepovers, occasionally refereeing brotherly spats. When the family enjoyed annual vacations during winter in Mammoth and summer at Clearlake, Helen made sure everyone was supplied with the right clothing for the location and plenty of food to keep everyone fueled – including the friends, cousins, and other urchins who might have piled in the car.

Helen remained at the center as the family circle expanded with children-in-law, then her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family gatherings for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter that Helen made special became traditions that anchored the family to each other. She cared deeply for her family and was always eager to spend time with them, help anyone in any way, share in their events, and dole out cash on the sly.

She and David enjoyed watching USC football, traveling to away games with friends, and in recent years, taking cross-country trips to see friends and family. Helen also loved her getaways with her sister and best friend, Linda Strecker.

Helen ended her life on this earth as she lived it, at the center of her family with Christ in her heart. Her loved ones lay her body to rest with the peace that comes in knowing only time separates us from our reunion in God’s presence.

Helen is survived by her husband, David; her siblings, Bill Bruins (Patty), Donna Jansen (Bud), Linda Strecker (Norman), and Janet Bruins; her three children Brian Romberg (Nancy), Randy Romberg (Dorothy), and Susan Buccowich (Michael); her twelve grandchildren Crystal Dvorak (Patrick), Heather Tebedo (Nathan) and Darcy, Sydney, & Luke Romberg; Amanda Parry (Torrey) and Alyssa, David, & Nathan Romberg; and Lexie, Austin, & Adam Buccowich; and her three great-grandchildren, Ella, Claire, & Drew Dvorak.