Helen Hanner

Helen Beatrice Hanner

April 28, 1933 – September 15, 2021

Our wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, wife, and friend Helen (Jones)

Hanner passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 88 years of age. Helen was born in Elkhorn, Idaho, April 28, 1933, to Veda Mae Stone and George Milford West. She was so grateful to have lived most of her life in the beautiful areas of Eureka and McKinleyville, California.
Helen married Milton R Jones in 1952. They had four children: Deanna, Russ, Mick, and Todd. Helen later married Don Hanner.

Helen loved life and really enjoyed music, dancing (especially square dancing), and sports. She was vivacious and upbeat. She was known for her infectious laugh, sense of humor, and outgoing, and people were naturally drawn to her. Helen was a dear and loyal friend to so many people and always the life of the party. A couple of quotes from Helen are “I’ve never met anyone I didn’t like. Some more than others” and “Kindness overcomes a lot of obstacles.”

Some favorite family memories of her are Sunday dinners together, cheering on her grandkids at their games, walking the pier at Trinidad Head, strolls on the beach, and picking wild blackberries. She made the best blackberry pie and cobbler from those berries! What she enjoyed most was being with her family. Grandma Helen was loved and will be missed by all her many grandchildren. She was always fiercely protective of her kids and grandkids.

Early on, Helen worked at the Fresh Freeze in Eureka. She and Milt then owned and managed furniture stores in McKinleyville, Eureka, and Crescent City. Helen also worked many years for
the Eureka City School District where she retired.

Helen enjoyed her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For two years she and Don served in the Medford, Oregon temple as temple workers.

Helen is survived by her four children, Deanna (McCartney), Russ (Jolene), Mick (Sheril), and Todd (Colleen), 24 grandchildren, and 53 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother George Dennis West (Darlene). She is preceded in death by her husband Milton, grandson Devon Jones, great granddaughter Monet Weems, and sisters Carol, Ann Marie, and Barbara.

A viewing will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with the funeral service immediately following at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel,
1660 Heartwood Drive, McKinleyville, CA. Interment will be afterward at the Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata.