Helen Margaret Reuter passed away at the Courtyard Assisted Living facility in Colfax Thursday evening, January 12, 2012. She was 100. She was born at home near Seattle, Washington on October 14, 1911 to Carl and Elsie Moe. In 1931 Helen married her favorite voice of the air waves; her sweet "William" D. Reuter, a local radio station broadcast announcer. They resided in the Seattle-Tacoma area and eventually settled on Vashon Island in 1940 when William left the broadcasting part of his profession to become the Chief Engineer for radio station KIRO with its transmitters and towers located on Maury Island which is connected to Vashon Island. Helen was a mom first for her two children and soon to be three. They bought a small farm and raised holly aside from his engineering position at the radio station. The farm was a big part of their life and though not a big money making venture they worked it in order to bring Christmas joy to people all over the country for nearly 60 years. Helen was a wonderful entertainer at home with many a bridge game party and a weekly ladies bridge club, served with a delicious lunch where every week there was something different to taste. She was a wonderful Norwegian style of host. The farm was also located along the shores of Quartermaster Harbor and they became avid boaters cruising the waters of Puget Sound, San Juan Island and the inner passages of Vancouver Island in British Columbia under the banner of the Vashon Island Quartermaster Harbor Yacht Club. After 60 years on the farm it was time, in 2002, to leave and they moved into Daystar Assisted Living in Seattle and with the passing of "Sweet William", they had been married for nearly 75 years, Helen's son M Michael brought her to the Courtyard Assisted living in Colfax in 2006. Her only complaint during her stay at the Courtyard in her declining years was to try and understand "why is it ??? – all the people talk about here is FARMING and being served PIZZA for dinner. She had never eaten pizza before. Pizza was just not in her Norwegian vocabulary. She will be missed by all those who knew her. She is survived by her son Michael and his wife Mary Reuters of Colfax, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Ethel, a son Dennis and a daughter Marilyn. On-line condolences may be left at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Michael and Mary would like to thank the Courtyard Staff and caregivers for all the wonderful love they gave Mom over her six year stay in Colfax. A special thanks to Leah and the rest of the staff for these past couple of weeks. Also special thanks to Lynn Nelson and the Hospice Staff for being with Mom for so many hours.