Arlean Ruby Helsley
Arlean Ruby Helsley, 73, longtime Royal City resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 16, 2007, at St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute in Spokane, Wash. Arlean and her twin brother Ardean were born on Jan. 21, 1934, at home in Logan, Utah, to Carl and Ruby Jensen Peterson. She was the fifth of eight children. Growing up she attended Canyonside Elementary School in Jerome, Idaho, and a short time at school in Hyrum, Utah, and completed her school years graduating in 1953 from Wendell High School. On Feb. 7, 1956, Arlean married her husband, Robert David Helsley, in Wendell, Idaho. They began their life together on the family farm in Quincy. In 1960, as ground was being broken into farm units, the young couple took the opportunity of starting their own farm on the primitive Royal Slope. From dust bowl to flourishing farm, they have toiled and worked to build a wonderful home and life for their family and loved ones.
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, the priorities in her life were God, family and church. Arlean was a giver and was always quick to offer a smile and a helping hand. She enjoyed spending much of her time volunteering at the local library, elementary schools, her church, and coordinating Cystic Fibrosis bike-a-thons. Her hobbies included gardening, painting and other forms of art (she was very artistic), music and writing stories and poems. She loved to be active and enjoyed, more than anything, spending time going on fun adventures with her family and friends. Arlean was a wonderful wife, mother and homemaker, and adored her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, David Helsley of Royal City, her children, Peggy Montgomery of Moses Lake, Doug Helsley of Royal City, Wally (Joy) Helsley of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Robert Helsley of Spokane, Russell (Linda) Helsley of Mountlake Terrace, Wash., and Sharon (Abrann) Harris of Olympia, Wash., twelve grandchildren; Jared (Holly) Montgomery, David Montgomery; Nathan Helsley, Jordan Helsley, Aleesha Helsley, Daniel Helsley, Spencer Helsley; Jack Helsley; Johanna Harris, Logan Harris, Brayden Harris, and Bronson Harris, one brother, LaVar Peterson of Wendell, Idaho, two sisters, Louise Reid of Lund, Nev., and Reva Martinson, of Nampa, Idaho.
She was preceded in death by brothers Leonard, Dale, Don, and Ardean Peterson, and grandson Jason Montgomery. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2007, at Royal Memorial Gardens, Royal City, with Bishop Michael Christensen conducting.
Arrangements are in care of Benson's Family Funeral Service and Chapel. Viewing will be at the funeral home on Thursday June 21, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.