Helen Jarvinen

Our beloved Mother, Helen Lorraine Jarvinen, 88, passed away at her home in Bellevue Idaho on January 5th 2017. Born in Minnesota on September 1, 1928 she was the 8th child born to Knutti and Hilda Santti. Born during the Depression years, Helen grew up on the family farm and graduated, with honors, from Brookston High School in 1936. While obtaining her business school degree she met and married Arnold T. Jarvinen, in August 1947. They began their married life in Duluth Minnesota until they moved to Bellevue Washington in 1962. Their marriage lasted 52 years. In 2015 Helen moved to Bellevue Idaho to live with her daughter Jennifer. Helen enjoyed many activities throughout her life. She and Arnold loved to travel. Their travels could find them heading to any state in the US but they particularly loved traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and Minnesota. One year, they returned to their roots with a trip to Finland. Helen was a voracious reader, reading as many as 365 books a year. She enjoyed needlepoint projects and proudly presenting them to friends and family. Frequently she participated in craft bazaars with her good friend Marge. When not doing crafts she hunted for antiques and collectables which she sold at different antique malls. She loved Sunday dinners and playing cards and games with the many that attended. But mostly she doted generously on her family and those she chose as family. Helen is survived by family members that include her daughter Diana (Curt) Squires of Fernley, NV; son Bill (Ann) Jarvinen of Issaquah, WA; and daughter Jennifer (Ray) McCollum of Bellevue, Idaho. Her grandchildren include Matt Squires, Josh Squires, John Bagley and Ashley Doyle. Her great grandchildren include Quannah Squires, Kallie Squires and Kinley Doyle. She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold, her parents Knutti and Hilda, her siblings, and great granddaughter Mykela Squires. A party to celebrate her life will be announced on her Memorial Page at www.woodriverchapel.com Friends may leave a condolence, share a story or photo, or light a candle in her memory. Memorial contributions may be given to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Wood River P.O. Box 4320, Ketchum, ID 83340. Memorials can also be submitted to Multiple Sclerosis or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.