Helen Catherine Brown

The daughter of Julia and Milton Schroetke, Helen was the second of twelve children.  She was a proud native of Minnesota who cherished her memories of growing up in Robinnsdale and spending summers on her grandma's farm in Detroit Lakes.  As a teenager, she moved with her family to Portland where she graduated from Roosevelt High then went on to work as a telephone operator for Pacific Bell.  In 1948 she married Bob Brown and together they raised 4 daughters and 3 sons in the home they built in the Maplewood area and later in Salem.  Helen was a hands on Mom and wife who never met a challenge  she wouldn't take on or a role she wouldn't fill if there was a need.  Scout leader, room mother, coach, chaperone, seamstress, fundraiser, organizer and volunteer extraordinaire, she did it all with dedication and enthusiasm.  By 1971 the family was living on 5 acres in Tualatin, a place Helen came to love.  When her youngest started school, she became the personnel manager at the Tualatin K-Mart store.  She loved her job and all the close friends she made during her 18 years there.  When she retired she started a whole new phase of her life that included traveling around the world, white water rafting, gardening, birding, fishing and being a much loved grandma to 7 grandchildren and 4 greats.  She loved nothing better than camping on Detroit Lake and relaxing on a house boat on Lake Shasta with family and friends.  She knew how to have fun!  Helen was a life long Catholic who lived with joy, appreciation and unwavering faith.  She always found the silver lining in any situation and the best side of everyone she met.  She was loved and admired more than words can describe.  Her big smile, laughter and love of life will be missed everyday.  Her light will shine brightly in our hearts, always.