Helen Louise Lancaster

Helen Louise Lancaster was born December 15, 1933 to Henry Jauer Wischkaemper and Lillie Marie Sauermilch Wischkaemper in Shamrock Texas. She had a stepbrother, Theodore Wischkaemper who died in 1986 and a brother, Carl Herman Wischkaemper who died in 1995.  Carl was married to Rosetta Burney Wischkaemper who died in 2015 and they had two sons, Gary who died in 2012 and Danny and his wife, Judy. Helen attended Quail schools in Quail Texas and married Elbert (Toby) Andrew Lancaster on June 2, 1951 in Amarillo, Texas.  Toby died in 1993. Helen had a successful and fulfilling career with the National Forest Service at the Umpqua National Forest and Mount Baker-Snoqualamie Forest offices, and later taking on a special project in Washington DC. After retiring Helen moved to Charles Town, WV to be closer to her eldest daughter, Sandy.  Helen was active in the community working at the Opera House Theatre, the Charles Town Garden Club and at Harper's Ferry National Park.  She was very fortunate to find love a second time with Gordon Bluford Sims.  They married February 7, 2009 and enjoyed an active life together traveling, dancing, and socializing with friends.  Gordon died in 2018. Helen is survived by her daughters Sandra DeGray and her husband Cliff DeGray; Sharon Parrish and her husband John Parrish; and Stacey Midson and her husband Brian Midson. She has three grandsons Ken Parrish, Kyle Parrish married to Lauren Parrish and Dillon Midson.  Helen also has three great grandchildren, Lacey Parrish, Karoline Parrish and Liam Parrish.  Helen's daughters will arrange a small service in Roseburg, Oregon where her ashes will be interred.  Please share your stories and, if you have them, photos of Helen. In lieu of flowers you may have a tree planted in her honor or donate to her favorite charity, WOUNDED WARRIORS at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org