Mildred Eloise Helseth

Mildred Eloise Helseth (96) of Bothell WA passed away peacefully May 19, 2021 at the Chateau Retirement Community in Bothell. She was born in Sequim Washington, September 11, 1924 to Mildred and Wallace White. She grew up on a small dairy farm that had been homesteaded by her family. She loved the life on the farm and it instilled in her a lifelong love of the outdoors and nature.

After graduating from Sequim high school she moved to Seattle to attend Griffin-Murphy Business College. It was there that she met her roommate’s brother Wallace (Wally) Helseth. They fell in love and were married on September 21, 1946. The young couple moved to Bothell where they raised their three boys: Bruce, Darrell and Dean.

Elly was very involved in her church, Bothell First Lutheran. She taught Sunday school and became the superintendent. She was also very engaged in Bible Study Fellowship, studying, teaching and mentoring others. She especially enjoyed the out-of-town weekend seminars and made many lifelong friends over the years.

The family enjoyed many adventures together, camping trips, outings to Camano often in the company of the Wilkerson’s, the annual New Years Eve party for the block.

When the three boys were all in school, she took a job as a cook in the Northshore School District. Her mother was quite surprised; the Elly she knew faked having to help milk cows to get out of kitchen duty! Elly loved the job and the people she worked with. She eventually ended up at Canyon Park Jr High, where she cooked for many years with her best friend Lucy Eskeback. This is where she perfected her famous cinnamon roll recipe, often one of the top auction items at the church youth fundraiser.

Her two oldest boys died in a car accident in 1970. Her faith, family and many friends helped her through this tragedy. After retiring she and Wally enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading and volunteering at the church. Some favorite trips were Norway, New Zealand and mushroom hunting at Ocean Shores. Her son Dean was married to Beth Sneeringer in 1984 and she and Wally were welcomed into the Sneeringer family. In 1987 her grandson Kyle was born. She and Wally were wonderful grandparents, taking Kyle on many adventures, but also enjoying the little things, helping grandma in the kitchen baking pizza, cookies and canning on the annual pickling day. She was so proud of him and so happy when he met Brooke Wongvanit and was able to attend their wedding in 2017.

Even in retirement Elly continued to cook for a crowd. She worked at the church’s All Seasons senior lunch for many years and baked for the annual church auction for many years after that. She continued baking bread weekly for years, Kyle was always delighted to be “paid” for helping Grandma in the yard with a loaf of bread or pronto pups.

In 2011 she lost the love of her life and partner for 65 years when Wally passed away. She remained in her house until 2017 when she moved to the Chateau Retirement Community in Bothell. As she liked to say, “They take such good care of me here!” She had her own apartment and had a patio with flower pots and a tomato plant that she called her garden.

Elly is survived by her son Dean (Beth Sneeringer) and grandson Kyle (Brooke Wongvanit) and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a warm and loving person with a sunny outlook on life and a quick smile.

Graveside service will be held at Purdy Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert RD, Lynnwood, WA 98036, May 28th at 10AM.