Obituary of Sylvia L. Helfrecht

Sylvia (Skeets) Lavinia Fuller Helfrecht passed away peacefully onFriday, November 4, 2011, at her Twin Falls home, with her family beside her. Skeets was born to Harry and Emma Smith Fuller on June 4, 1922, the second of five children, on a farm in Texas County, Oklahoma. When she was very young, her family moved to the Fuller family farm in Seward County, Kansas, where Skeets lived until her graduation from Liberal High School in 1940. She then moved to Wichita, Kansas, where she received her diploma from the Wichita Business College. For several years during World War II, Skeets worked the 10-hour night shift at the Wichita Boeing Aircraft factory in the Tool and Design department. Later she returned to Liberal, Kansas, and was employed as secretary to the Personnel Officers at the Liberal Army Airfield, a B-24 Transition Training field. It was here that Skeets met her future husband Jack, who was soon shipped out and sent overseas as a B-24 pilot. When the Liberal base closed, Skeets moved to San Angelo, Texas, to work at the News Photo Publishing Company. Soon after Jack was discharged from the Air Corps, Skeets and Jack were married on March 3, 1946, at the Liberal, Kansas Methodist Church. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family and close friends on March 3, 1996, and were so thankful they had that day together, just weeks before Jack passed away on April 10, 1996. Skeets spent her entire married life living in Twin Falls, residing at her present farm home since 1960. She was employed for a number of years by Twin Falls County, working at the Assessor's, Treasurer's, and Auditor's offices. She also enjoyed her work as a volunteer at Magic Valley Regional Medical Center and the Twin Falls Visitors' Center. Skeets was a member of the Twin Falls First United Methodist Church since 1946, and was a member of the chancel choir, United Methodist Women, and was on the UMW board. She was devoted to her church and was sustained by her faith. Skeets and Jack enjoyed dancing and were members of OAO and the Elks Club. They enjoyed many trips together over the years, visiting family and taking in the sights abroad. They also spent many happy hours at their cabin near Stanley, which they built with friends. Skeets was a member of the CSI exercise class and the SoJourners Club. She loved and enjoyed her club family so much. She loved her family, church, and being a grandmother and enjoyed flower gardening, sewing, playing bridge, ceramics, and oil painting. Skeets will be remembered for her kind heart, positive outlook, love and support of family, fellowship to all, patriotism, and love of God. She is dearly loved, and will be missed by friends and family. Skeets is survived by her daughter, Katherine (Eric) Hart of Fairfield, Iowa; son, Jack Helfrecht of Twin Falls; sisters, Kay Kelman of Sublette,Kansas, and Carol (John) Plummer of Alva, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Gwen Luke of Salt Lake City; granddaughter, Amy Hart of Fairfield, Iowa; several cousins; and 3 nieces and 8 nephews. Skeets was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Emma Fuller; husband, Charles Jack Helfrecht; brother and sister-in-law, Wendell and Marion Fuller; sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Lynn Dishon; 2 brothers-in-law, Jack Kelman and Bill Luke; and 2 nieces and 1 nephew. Skeets' family sends thanks to her physicians, Dr. Lisa Burgett and Dr Lucie DiMaggio, to the staff of St. Luke's Clinic, and to the staff of St. Luke's Hospice for their kindness, care and compassion over the years and in the final months of her life. A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at Rosenau Funeral Home in Twin Falls, with Pastor Phil Airhart officiating. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Twin Falls, the American Cancer Society, or to a cause of the donor's choice. Cards and memorials may be sent to 3779 North 2600 East, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301.