Mary Helen Bever

Mary Helen Bever, Helen to those who knew her, had a long and varied life. Professionally she worked at the Bureau of Reclamation, the U. S. Forest Service as a bookkeeper, with Avon as a sales representative, the Arkansas Valley Ditch Association as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, and the state of Colorado in the Division of Water Resources as a Water Commissioner. But her most important job was that of our mom and manager of the household. Because our dad traveled extensively for his job, she not only had to care for her children, she managed every other aspect of the household. Her favorite story to tell was about the time our dad asked why we never came to him to ask permission to do something. Our mom's response was to send us to him the next time we were asking for permission but even our dad knew who was really in charge and promptly sent us back to her.

I am proud to be an Eagle Scout but I know that I would have never achieved that honor had my mom not provided her encouragement and support. She was there to provide guidance when I was selling Christmas wreaths for scouts, baking a cake for a bake sale, and many more. That guidance and teaching continued even with the caregivers she had in her later years. As they were helping her, she was teaching them how to cook, bake, or the “correct” way to do the laundry.

As my brother mentioned, my mother taught both of us the household basics. That knowledge came in handy my sophomore year in high school, when she fell on the ice and had a full leg cast on for several months. Both of us had to help with the household duties while dad was on the road. While her family was her number one priority, she and my dad were active members of the First Congregational Church of Christ. My mom taught my dad how to dance. She had taught ballroom dancing when she was in her twenties. And they enjoyed going out on occasion and dancing with their friends. We loved shopping, cooking, and going to various events together. For as long as I can remember my Mom was my teacher, my mentor, my confidante, my friend. She was a living example of a strong, caring, confident woman. Her voice became my inner voice. When I did something right, I could hear her praise in my head. And when I did something wrong, I could feel her gentle admonishment (without her ever needing to say a word). I always felt I could talk to her about anything and could trust any advice she gave. I will miss her more than I can possibly describe.

One of our mom's favorite pastime when she wasn't taking care of someone else was cross stitching. We are both grateful that we will have several of her works to remember her by. In retirement, she enjoyed taking cruises with her husband of 65 years, attending performing arts events, playing cards, and leading the bingo game at the retirement community where they lived. But most of all, baking decadent desserts for everyone to enjoy.

We will all miss her guidance and support, I know her family will!

Helen is survived by her daughter Laura (Dan) Johnson, her son Jerry (Julie) Bever , sister Betty Hart, and her grandson Phillip Bever. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Norman Bever, father, Henry; mother, Katie Reiter; sisters Rosie, Lydia; and brothers George, Herman, Walter, and Victor.

A Memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Fox Run Good Samaritan Chapel, 1720 60th Avenue, Greeley.

Please visit www.stoddardsunset.com to sign the online guestbook.