Helen Irene Franklin Anderson, age 89, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2015 in St. George, Utah. She was born April 17, 1925 to Joseph Smith Franklin and Martha Cecelia Slifer Franklin in Mt. Morris, Illinois. She remained there until her junior year in high school when her father bought a farm four miles away. It was a place that she always loved to return to and pass the weekend, even after she was married and had three children. It was at the local roller skating rink that she met her future husband, Orley Anderson, who immediately began courting her. Although she was an excellent student, the salutatorian of her graduating class, her love for Orley caused her to give up her scholarship to an Iowa college to take marriage vows.
The couple moved to Rockford, Illinois where they raised their three children and Helen eventually became a realtor. Her search for religious truths began an investigation of various faiths with representatives teaching her in her home, but a timely article in Life Magazine became a life changer when they featured the Mormons. The church was praised for its care of the poor with its welfare program, so when the lady missionaries knocked on her door, she was anxious to hear them. She studied hard, read the Book of Mormon and prayed often. Reflecting on those times, she said in years to come that after a day of intense prayer the feeling came upon her that it was true, and she uttered out loud, “I believe, Lord.” Those three words changed the course of many lives. Her children were converted and her husband joined seven years later.
Helen served as Relief Society president five times under different branch presidents and bishops, helping to manage the welfare program that had first caught her attention, making visits to numerous people and especially the older members who often received one of her legendary pies while she cleaned their homes and chatted with them. She was an angel to the aged and was never happier than when she was lightening their load. When she passed into the next world, there must have been a large crowd that gathered to thank her for her kindness during those difficult times.
Helen learned the craft of cake decorating, mostly self-taught. One woman hearing of her passing wrote “…she made my custom designed dream wedding cake (32 years ago). I was amazed that she could make it exactly how I had designed it. It was a true work of art.” Many experienced her treasures as she labored to perfect her roses, petals and swirls. Our birthday cakes seemed better suited for public display.
Helen and Orley bought six and a half acres of river front property in Illinois where they built their own house, cutting trees as the Dutch elm disease ravaged the woods, driving their modest boat up and down the rolling Rock River, skating along its banks in the winter and clearing brush and roasting marshmallows in the summer.
After retirement, Mom and Dad spent their time traveling between their children’s homes, using their penchant for hard work to build a home for Janet, complete Steve’s basement and help Gary remove a 600 feet hedge as part of his yard care business. Eventually, they moved west, first staying at the Lagoon Campground while they were caretakers of the property before buying another house in Woods Cross. Helen’s last years were a trial from the memory loss that plagued her. Through it all, she remained a lovely person, tackling the last challenge of life with grace and a smile and saying “Thank you,” to the very end. After nearly three years of loving care by her daughter who stayed in her home, she passed away in St. George with her son, Gary, at her side.
Helen was preceded her in death by Orley in 2005. She is survived by her daughter: Janet (Bob) Bartell; her sons: Gary (Nancy) and Steve (Diane); 14 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 1:00 PM, at the LDS Chapel at 1335 West 1500 South, Woods Cross, Utah. Viewing will be held at the church prior to the service, 11:30-12:40. Burial will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery.