Helen was born Jan. 17, 1922, to Harry and Hester Santo. She passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, at Prestige Care Center in Clarkston.

Helen met her husband, Clarence, when she was 17, at a dance in the Lewiston Orchards. They dated for two years before they got married July 3, 1940. She made parts at a shipyard in Portland, Ore., during World War II, where Clarence was a welder. After the war, they moved back to Lewiston. They then moved to Clarkston, where they bought their first and only house.

The couple had five children, Vickey, Karolyn, Terri, Wanda and Monte. She had 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She spent most of her time raising her family and taking care of their apple orchard. She loved to garden and take care of her yard. If you stopped to visit, you would almost always find her outside. She lost Clarence in 1992.

She is survived by her children and their families, Vickey Bolen, Karolyn and Boyd Hough, Terri and Dave Bowden, Wanda and Steve Aiken, and Monte Bolen and Janet.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston.

The family would like to thank Helen's caregivers at Prestige Care Center in Clarkston and her doctor, Dr. Greggain, for his amazing care. The family would also like to thank her wonderful neighbors, Randy and Eloise, Dennis and Kim, and Vivian.

Merchant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements and the online guest book can be signed at www.merchantfuneralhome.com.

The family suggests any memorial donations be made to the Lewis-Clark Animal Shelter, 6 Shelter Road, Lewiston, ID 83501.