Dorothy Louise Minion Helm was born on January 23, 1922 on a farm in southwestern Minnesota. She left this earth surrounded by loved ones on November 16, 2014.
Dorothy grew up on the family farm raising 4H steers and riding her beloved pony, Spot. In 1941 she entered nursing school at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. During her first year there she met Richard Charles Helm. They were married on June 12, 1942 in Bingham Lake, Minnesota.
Following WWII Dorothy and Richard returned to Elizabethtown, PA, Richard’s hometown. There they raised six children in a home they built themselves on West Ridge Road. Dorothy’s life-long love of horses led the family to keep several over the years. She encouraged a wide variety of family pets including, at various times, dogs, cats, a goat, a goose, chickens, and a rabbit.
Dorothy worked several jobs as a nursing aide and eventually earned her Licensed Practical Nurse credential. She was a very involved member of St Paul’s United Methodist Church for over 50 years, teaching Sunday School and serving on various boards and committees. In the 1950’s and 60’s Dorothy was active in the Fresh Air Fund. Throughout her life Dorothy was a volunteer in area public schools and active in the local Republican Party.
In 2011 Richard and Dorothy retired to Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. There Dorothy continued her life-long knitting hobby. She knitted caps, sweaters, and mittens, and was especially known for caps which went to grandchildren, great grandchildren, many friends and mission projects.
Dorothy is survived by Richard, her husband of seventy-two years, and her children, Kathryn Shannon (James),Thomas Helm (Mary), Daniel Helm (Elizabeth), Carolyn Greiner, Nancy Helm (Ruth Callard), Joan Noonan, a sister, Jean Iverson Pederson, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandsons.
A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at St Paul’s United Methodist Church, Elizabethtown at 3:00, Sunday, November 23, with visitation at 2:00 and a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Save the Children, 501 King’s Hwy E., Fairfield, CT 062825, or St Paul’s United Methodist Church.