Helen Eva Head

Helen Eva Van de Wetering Looper Head, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, cousin, and friend went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on October 9, 2023 in Surprise, Arizona. Helen was preceded in death by her parents William and Lois Van de Wetering, her husband of 35 years Murray V. Looper, Sr. (1988), her husband of 33 years James W. Head, Jr. (2022), her sister Mary Maxine Staley (2017), brothers Charles Van de Wetering (2019) and Carey (Butch) Van de Wetering (2021) and two oldest sons Murray V. Looper, Jr. (2002), and William G. Looper (2019).

She is survived by 5 of her 7 children, Debra L. Richards (Dan Sr.) of Upton, Kentucky, Jeanne A. Petersen (Charlie) of Wickenburg, Arizona, Michael P. Looper (Kim) of Tonapah, Arizona, Bethy R. Theis (Gordy) of Beatrice, Nebraska, and Cynthia S. Looper-Riley (Hans) of Lynden, Washington. Family was everything to Helen, she was so proud of her 7 children and their families (28 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson).

While married to Murray, she experienced life all over the western U.S. and in Alberta, Canada. They moved quite often and lived in California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and Alberta. Though money was scarce, she always provided for the needs of her family through crafts, sewing, gardening, canning, and cooking meals with the bare necessities. She was creative in meeting all of the needs of her family. Together they enjoyed travel, camping, games, and time with extended family.

Once Murray passed in 1988, Helen moved to Kentucky to live with her daughter Bethy. There she worked at the golf course where she met her second husband Jim. Jim was an avid golfer and Helen began to golf with him, she married him soon after and they enjoyed golf, friends and family. Helen also worked in the Gardening Department at Wal-Mart and was very proud of the fact that she could run the forklift. She began attending Highland Baptist Church in Lexington and was very quickly involved in ministry there to children. She made many close friends and enjoyed attending until she and Jim moved to Sonora, Kentucky where they could be close to her daughter Debbie where they enjoyed games, crafts and riding horses together. Helen attended Oak Hill Baptist Church across the street from their home and began teaching Sunday School once again. She also began her ministry at Life Connections; a boys home down the road. Serving those boys gave her life a new meaning and it was difficult to talk about anything else – she was an advocate for them, sending birthday cards, organizing quilts and other gifts at Christmas each year.

Helen was a loving, compassionate, and sacrificial woman. She was known to open her doors to children and adults of all ages and walks of life to feed them, care for them, and show God’s love to them. She adored children of any age and especially those in need. Her grandchildren were her crowning glory, she loved talking about them, counting them, spending time with them and sending them birthday cards every year until they turned 18.

After Jim’s death in November of 2022, her children convinced her that she needed to move out of her rural farmhouse and live closer to medical facilities and family. She did not want to be alone, but she loved her memories, her church, her friends, neighbors, and daughter who lived not far from her. Though it was difficult and fast; her health was beginning to fail and she agreed to move to Arizona where she would have family surrounding her and visiting her. She spent the holidays in 2022 with her family and in January 2023 she moved to Wickenburg where she spent 8 months with family and living in her new apartment. Her last months were spent in Solana at the Park (previously Parkwood) where her sister Maxine lived during the last 3 months of her life. Helen chose it because she felt closer to her sister there. As a living tribute to Helen, her children threw a party in August to celebrate her and her life and family, 59 family members attended from all over the country. She was truly blessed and surprised that so many people loved her and came to see HER.

Helen left behind a legacy of love, sacrifice, generosity, and adventure. She taught us to give and serve others, she taught us to love. She will be missed.