Doris Arlene Helms

Doris Arlene Helms, 93, peacefully passed away November 17, 2023, at Grace Manor of Arizona in Chandler.

Doris was born to John and Emma Baergen in Cordell, OK.  She attended school in Oklahoma and in 1947 married Alfred Schmidt.  They farmed the same farm that she was raised on and 3 children were born there.  In 1956 they decided to move off of the farm and out of Oklahoma eventually settling in Loveland, CO.

While living in Loveland, CO, Doris worked as a cook, cleaned unglazed pottery for Rocky Mountain Pottery Factory, and for 17 ½ years assembled instruments for Hewlett Packard.

In 1974 at the age of 43 she became a widow when Alfred passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident.  In 1977 she married Henry Helms, a widowed farmer originally from Nebraska.  With Henry came his 3 daughters and 4 sons which extended her family to a total of 10 kids.  Henry’s youngest son was 10 years old and the only one to live at home with them.  When they retired and the youngest son moved out to be on his own, they traveled many miles visiting family in their RV.  They became “snow birds” for a few winters before buying a house in Mesa, AZ and settling there permanently.  Henry passed away in 2013, at the age of 89.  They had been married almost 36 years.  A highlight for Doris was when our families were together for reunions and holiday dinners.  Her pecan pie and cherry cheese cake became favorites.

Doris enjoyed many hobbies including sewing, quilting, embroidery, making jewelry, and coloring books for grown-ups.  She was an active member of the Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church and enjoyed the friends she met there.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Edward and Alfred, sister Lorena Jantz, step-mother Agnes Baergen, step-sister Betty Plett, and step-sister Florence Moore.  She is survived by sister Carolyn (John) Penner, brother Gary Baergen, and children Mary Etta Belisle, Clayton Schmidt, Warren Schmidt, Linda (Richard) Twidwell, Jeanette Mares, Dale (Deb) Helms, Rhonda (Don) Ems, Kim (Joe) Helms, Ron (Priscilla) Helms, Brent (Denise) Helms, 22 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 2 great, great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will take place at the Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church, Gilbert, AZ, January 20, 2024 at 10:00am.  Her ashes will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memory Gardens, Fort Collins, CO at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in memory of Doris Helms to Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church, 425 N Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ  85234.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.