Myrtle D. Helgeson

Survived by her loving husband of 54 years, A. Orville Helgeson of Shoreline; daughter, Cheryl McIvor and her husband Craig of Seattle; sons, Daniel Helgeson and his wife Vicki of San Jose CA, Mark A. Helgeson and his wife Debora of Vacaville CA; 10 grandchildren; brother, Bernhardt Dixon and sister, Elsie Hovland. Memorial service Sunday March 4, 2001, 3:00PM; Schirmer Auditorium at CRISTA 19303 Fremont Ave N. Shoreline. Private burial, Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Myrtle Helgeson to CRISTA Good Samaritan Fund or King's School's Mission Trip Fund.

Myrtle accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior during her teen years. Because she wanted a solid base for her life she enrolled at the Lutheran Bretheran Institute in Minneapolis but later finished in Seattle and became the first graduate of the Seattle Branch.

With a desire for Christian ministry, she accepted a secretarial call to Denny Park Lutheran Church. These were precious years for her as she served under the loving leadership of Pastor B.T. Gabrielson. It was there that she met her husband to be, Orv Helgeson. They were married at the church?s beautiful altar on April 19, 1947. After Orv graduated from LBI, they drove, with 9 week old Cheryl, to Washington D.C. where Orv attended and graduated from the American University. For most of those years Myrtle was employed as an interviewer at the U.S. Employment Department.

Returning to Seattle, she, Orv, Cheryl and Dan moved to King?s Garden/Crista where Orv accepted an invitation from Mike Martin to serve as the Manager of the new broadcast station KGDN. Myrtle was assigned to be the switchboard operator and receptionist. Later she became the Women?s Personnel Director. Her third child, Mark, was born during that time. After nearly ten years of service they moved to Denver, Colorado and then to Salt Lake City, Utah where she served for almost ten years as the office manager for Doctor LaVerne Erickson, a fine Christian and skilled neurosurgeon.

Having accepted an administrative position at Burden Bearers Counseling, Orv moved his family back to Seattle. Myrtle later became the staff Intake Counselor.

In March of 1997 she and Orv moved into a lovely two-bedroom retirement unit at Christa Royal Apartments. It was just like ?coming home? and has provided rich enjoyment. She was honored to serve as president of the Upper Campus Resident Council for three years.

The last significant event of her life was to be honored by her family in celebrating her 80th Birthday at Cannon Beach, Oregon, for a week-end in September last year. The most significant gift was a large memory quilt made by Debbie with contributions from Orv and all the children, spouses and grandchildren. They were all the most valuable treasures of her life and she was in constant prayer for them. We know her Lord has greeted her ?Well done thou good and faithful servant?.