Helga L. Taunton Sauceda

Living in Frankfurt during the depression and World War 2, her young life was not without challenge. Despite this, Helga lived her childhood and school years with much adventure. At the age of 21 she met and soon married, Ollie B. Taunton in 1948.They had a son, Dennis M. Taunton in 1950 and a daughter, Melanie R. Taunton in 1961. As a military family, they were stationed in Japan, Germany, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida and then settled in Highland, California in 1969. Soon after, Helga took courses to become certified as a California Nurses Aide. She worked at The San Bernardino Community Hospital as an Aide, Ward Clerk and finally a Unit Secretary until her retirement in 1995.

After her husbands passing in 1978, she continued to work and raise her teenage daughter. In 1992 Helga married long time family friend, James R. Sauceda. Together Helga and Jim enjoyed life to the fullest through vacations, cruises and scenic road trips around the world. They also spent a great deal of time celebrating life with family.

Helga was blessed with three grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was endearingly known to them as, Omi. To her husband Jim’s family, she was also Omi to 6 additional grandchildren.

Helga was blessed with the gift of cooking, home decor and design, humor and she loved sharing stories of her life in Germany and as a military wife. She enjoyed spending time in her yard with “her” birds and lizards that considered her yard as a peaceful sanctuary. Helga was generous in charitable contributions to many veteran, law enforcement and animal rescue organizations. She was a very patriotic German American and an active member of The Elks Lodge of San Bernardino, California.

In the early morning of July 24, 2019 while surrounded by her family, Helga, wrapped in the light of Jesus, took her final journey home. She is survived by her husband, James R. Sauceda, daughter, Melanie Taunton, granddaughter, Jordan Craighead, grandson, Logan Williams, granddaughter Meghan Taunton, great grandsons, Brody and Deacon Craighead, son in law, Adam Craighead, nephew, Thomas Kraus and family, cousin, Hans Giraud and family and a myriad of sister in laws, step nieces and nephews and many friends.

The funeral will be held at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton, CA on August 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will take place immediately following.

A reception will be held at The Elks Lodge 2055 Elks Dr. San Bernardino, CA 92404.

In lieu of flowers, a charitable contribution can be made to any veteran organization such as, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed American Veterans or Veterans of Foreign Wars.