June 17, 1916 — April 17, 2008

Helen was at her beloved Greenberry farm, at age 91 years and 10 months, when she passed on to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was surrounded by prayers and love from Steve and Angel.

Helen was born June 17, 1916, in the German settlement of Strasburg, N.D., She was the second child and first girl born to Nicolas and Barbara Vetsch Schindler. The family would continue to grow with the addition of seven more children over the years. Helen was baptized into God’s love as an infant.

Helen’s childhood would prove to be rather difficult. Her family was split up for several years because of health problems her father suffered from.

Helen was able to stay with her mother and two youngest brothers, Paul and Albert, whom she took on to help raise. The family moved several times trying to find and keep work. They finally settled in the Yakima Valley of Washington.

In her young adult life, Helen lived in nearby Pendleton. She loved pleasing people and hard work, so waitressing would become her life-long occupation. She met and married her first husband, Glenn Roberts, in 1960. He passed away in 1966. At age 50, Helen would take driving lessons for a year and get her first license while in Pendleton. She would find herself moving closer to her mother and brother Paul when, in 1968, she landed in Bellfountain.

Helen shared a mobile home with her mother for seven years. She continued to work as a waitress at various mid-valley restaurants. Her last and most treasured working memories were at Burton’s for Bob and Dawn Burton.

She met and fell in love with her second husband, Gary Bradley, and they were married in 1974. They would begin their life together at his Greenberry farm. Gary and Helen loved traveling to the Southwest and looking for antiques and artwork. They, along with some of their farming and ranching neighbors, were instrumental in starting the Benton County Livestock Association Lamb Bar-B-Q at the Benton County Fair & Rodeo, which still goes on today. Gary passed away in 1981. Helen would continue to live on their farm.

In 1983, while at Signer Motors, Helen met Howard Mullaly. He fell for Helen that first day and they were married a month later. Howard passed away in 1986, leaving Helen a widow for the third time.

In 1992, at age 76, Helen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She would continue to be active and live on her own for four more years with the help of brother Paul and wife, Ruby, and niece Mina and nephew Steve. Finally in 1996, living alone become too difficult a task to continue, so nephew Steve and his wife, Angel, moved to Greenberry to be Helen’s caregivers. Helen was blessed in 2001 to welcome Steve and Angel’s daughter, Helen Julia Marie Schindler, into her heart and home.

Helen was an excellent cook and her baking is still talked about today. She enjoyed being busy and being outdoors. She loved her family and her animals. She enjoyed serving her church and her Lord and praying.

Helen was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and a past member of the Benton County Livestock Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Joe, John, Tony and Paul; and her three husbands. She is survived by brothers, Nicolas of Santa Rosa, Calif., Leo of Clayton, Calif., Albert of Long Beach, Calif.; sister, Berdina Talioferro of Pinole, Calif.; five nieces, six nephews, seven great-nieces, six-great nephews; and many cousins and neighbors.

Memorial donations can be made to the Benton County Livestock Association in Helen’s name. Please send in care of Sharon Nusbaum, 27031 Bellfountain Road, Monroe, OR 97456.