Hellen Elizabeth Andersen's Obituary
On October 14, 1923 in Springfield, Missouri, a dark-haired brown-eyed baby girl was born. This beautiful baby girl named Hellen Elizabeth was the fourth of six children born to Kerney and Ina Harville. The family relocated to California in 1929 in a converted Ford Model T. Just like her older sister, Vivian, Hellen was feisty and stood up for what she felt was right – especially when it came to protecting her two younger brothers. She went on to graduate from Fillmore High School in 1942, and right out of high school joined the war effort in taking a job at Douglas Air Force Base as a “Rosie the Riveter” building B-17 aircraft. Three days after the war ended on August 17, 1945, she married a soldier – Robert Winkler. He promoted in his rank to Lt. Colonel making Hellen an officer’s wife. She enjoyed all the luxuries of this lifestyle, and loved her life as an officer’s wife.In 1953 Robert and Hellen adopted their first child, a girl whom they named Kern Winkler. Then in 1957 they adopted their second child, a boy whom they named Robert Dana Winkler, and in 1958 they adopted a 6-month old girl whom they named Kimberly Winkler.In 1962 her husband Robert succumbed to chicken pox and pneumonia that left her as a single mother with three young children which force her to seek her first permanent full-time job to support the family. Throughout her 91 years on this earth, Hellen exemplified strength, courage, and perseverance to name a few qualities that will be passed on as her legacy. In the early 60’s, Hellen made a Profession of Faith in the Lord. In a brief marriage during her early forties, she gave birth to a little baby girl named Kristi who survived for two days, and has been waiting all these years to greet her in Heaven. Shortly thereafter, she met and married Donald Andersen, and at the age of 52, she brought yet another child out of the foster system and into the family. This 15-year old child’s name is Fawn Joy Davis. Her marriage with Donald Andersen lasted over 35 years until God called him home in 2006.Hellen was determined to give her family the best life. She knew to accomplish this was to get a man’s pay – which required getting a man’s job – and that she did as she climbed telephone poles, passed work certifications, became a union representative, and retired as a supervisor from the Telephone Company. Hellen’s family grew to include a grandchild, Tammi Padilla, and three great grandsons, Little Jessie, Bobby and Alex Padilla, several great great grandchildren, and the newest addition to her family, Brynlee Padilla. She will be greatly missed, though her legacy lives on and will always have a special place in our hearts as she watches over us as our Guardian Angel.
What’s your fondest memory of Hellen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Hellen?
Share a story where Hellen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Hellen you’ll never forget.
How did Hellen make you smile?