Not gone…just gone ahead

 
 Vickie’s Mom Mrs. Helen Kathrine Smith

Helen Katherine (Kessler) Smith went to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the Hospice Care Center at McKee Medical Center.
 
 She was born on August 11, 1921 to Henry J. and Ada Viola (Phillips) Kessler in Monte Vista. A farming family, they worked the land with plow and horse and weathered the Great Depression.
 
 The family moved to Kansas when Helen was a baby. The growing family returned to Colorado in 1932. As they made the trip over monarch Pass (which was just a dirt road at the time), they were stopped by a reporter from the Denver Post who asked if he could take photos of the family traveling West in a covered wagon – photos which are now treasured heirlooms.
 
 In 1956, she married William (Bill) Smith and they settled on the Western Slope of Colorado, living in Grand Junction and Eckert. From 1966 to 1969, they owned and operated the Eckert Store. Transfers with Bill’s work moved them to Butte and then Billings, Montana, where they spend a total of 11 years. A subsequent transfer brought them back to Colorado in 1980, where they lived in Colorado Springs and Westminster. After retirement, they moved to Loveland in 1996 and made it their home, enjoying the small-town pace… a welcome change from the rush of the big city.
 
 Helen was a homemaker whose focus was her faith and family. She enjoyed family gatherings, weekend dances on the Western Slope in the 40’s and 50s and was always up for a game of pinochle or dice. A talented seamstress and cook, she excelled with needle work, crocheting, baking and candy making. She had a love for her Lord, gardening and animals – traits her children have picked up and carried forward. She shared her love for the outdoors, taking her family on frequent picnics, camping trips and outings to “Cow Camp” set high in the aspens of the Uncompaghre National Forest.
 
 The Smiths, 50-year members of the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), were active volunteers and served in many capacities in congregations in Grand Junction; Butte and Billings Montana; Colorado Springs, Westminster and Fort Collins.
 
 Helen, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, is survived by Harry Lee Galloway of Enid, Ohio; Kaye Galloway of Aurora; Dennis Smith of Billings, Montana; and Vickie Smith Kuhlmann of Loveland; sister Louise Kessler of Delta; brothers Hank Kessler, Quentin Kessler, Norman Kessler of Montrose; and Vern Kessler of Naturita. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and four sisters. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and her beloved Shih Tzu, Buttons.
 
 Viewing will be at Resthaven Funeral Home from 4-8 pm on Monday. The funeral service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at Peace with Christ Lutheran Church in Fort Collins on Tuesday at 2 pm. Interment at Resthaven Memory Gardens immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice in care of Resthaven Funeral Home 8426 S. Highway 287, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525.
 
 Not gone… just gone ahead.