Helen Stratton

Helen R. Stratton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2018, at the age of 83. She was born on April 16, 1935 in Tremonton, Utah, to Hulbert Merlin Robbins and Helen Frances Williams Robbins. Her mother died less than two weeks later, and Helen was taken in by her grandparents, H.B. and Mary Robbins. Her father remarried a few years later, but though she was actively involved with her siblings, Helen lived with her grandparents the remainder of her childhood. She grew up considering herself "an only child in a family of fifteen." Helen attended school in Stone, which was held in a drafty, two-room school house, with four grades per room. She graduated from Bear River High School in 1952, where she had been active in choir, learned to play the cello, and earned a regional award in bookkeeping. Her grandmothers health began to decline, so rather than go to college she stayed home to care for her. Four years later she secured a scholarship and enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College in Logan (now Utah State University) to study vocal music. That same year she met Alfred William (Bill) Stratton. They married the following year on December 20, 1957. She went to work to support Bill, who graduated in 1959. Their first child, Cecelia, was born a short time later. They moved to Malad, Idaho, where Bill taught school, and Annette was born in 1961. Shortly after that they moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where they purchased a home on Wilson Avenue, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Sharon was born in 1962, and her health problems consumed much of their lives and resources for many years. Daniel William was born four years later in 1966, followed by Thomas George in 1970 and Ronald Douglas in 1977. During this time Helen took a series of jobs to help support the family, including helping Bill clean two bowling alleys, a car dealership, and a laundromat, and doing bookkeeping and tax preparation. She also worked for Farm Bureau for several years before finding employment with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a building custodian, a job she worked for many years. Helen loved music and passed that love on to her children. She taught herself to play piano as soon as she was big enough to reach the keyboard and learned to play the organ well enough to play in church when she was twelve. She was formally appointed the Sunday School organist at fourteen. She thrived in choir in high school, and the connections she made there helped her earn a scholarship to college. She loved playing cello and played in the Idaho State Civic Symphony for 19 years. She was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in numerous positions in ward and stake music, Relief Society, Young Women, and scouting. Supporting her sons in scouting led her to become a dedicated record-keeper and committee member, garnering special recognition from Boy Scouts of America for her work with Troop 121. She grew a yearly garden throughout most of her adult life, and her basement remains full of the produce she grew and preserved. During her "retired" years she became a certified Master Gardener through University of Idahos extension program. She also took several classes in painting, which she enjoyed, and even participated in local senior talent shows. Helen loved being involved with her 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and followed their performances and activities as much as possible. Helen is survived by her daughter Annette Green, and sons Dan Stratton, Thom Stratton and Ron Stratton, as well as most of her younger siblings. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, and daughters Cecelia Farnes and Sharon Stratton, and by three brothers and four sisters. Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 22, at 11:00 am (viewing at 10:00 am) at the Raymond Park Ward Building, 225 Oakwood Dr., Pocatello. A viewing will also be held Friday, Dec. 21, from 6-8 pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4 th Ave, Pocatello. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Ave. Pocatello, ID. Condolences may be made at www.colonial-funeralhome.com

Visitation

12/22/2018 10:00

11:00:00

LDS Whitaker Rd. Building

4890 Whitaker Road

Chubbuck

Idaho

83202



Visitation

12/21/2018 18:00

20:00:00

Oakwood Dr. Building

225 Oakwood Drive

Pocatello

Idaho

83204



Funeral Service

12/22/2018 11:00



Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201