Helen Grace Bean Smith, 85, passed away at her home in Salmon on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.
Helen was born January 29, 1925 in Monida, Montana, to Andrew Jackson Bean and Annis Melinda Jane Burwell Bean, and spent her early childhood years at Clover Creek in Centennial Valley, Montana. It was there that Helen developed a lifelong love of horses. Her favorite childhood memories were listening to her father's stories as they rode trap lines and snagged fence poles for area ranchers.
Her sisters, Norma Montana Perry, born December 25, 1927, and Beverly Gale Gott Baker, born November 2, 1930, were also born in Centennial Valley. The family moved to Dillon, Montana, in 1936, and then to Salmon, Idaho, in 1938. Jack and Annis purchased the Four Star Garage with Eddie and Carl Papetti, changing the name to the Valley Chevrolet Co.
Three months after graduation from Salmon High School in 1942, Helen married Wallace Sherman Walchli. They were later divorced, and she married Eli Smith in Hamilton, Montana, on September 18, 1944.
Since most of the men went into the service during World War II, Helen took the opportunity to become the first female 'partsman' in Idaho. She also became a 'grease monkey' for Automotive Wholesalers and Paul King Ford. The first day of her new job, Helen was sent to the hardware store to get a 'left-handed' monkey wrench; and she did! As a result of that lesson in embarrassment, Helen told her children to use common sense and always have a sense of humor.
Helen and Eli reared five children, Jack Eli (Arjay), Nov. 1, 1946, James Ellis, April 9, 1952, Jayne Ellen, Nov. 23, 1953, Judith Eileen, March 6, 1955, and Jerrold Bean, Sept. 28, 1956. When Helen was pregnant with Jayne, Dr. Blackadar was convinced that the baby was going to be a boy. Eli, being the gambler he was, bet Dr. Blackadar the cost of delivering the baby that the baby was going to be a girl. When Jayne was born with two teeth, the bill that arrived from Dr. Blackadar was for 0 dollars and 0 cents.
Helen's organizational skills were outstanding, whether it came to supporting her children in sports, youth clubs, 4-H and Rancho Kids, or keeping her albums up to date with current and historical events. Eli and Helen always made time for summer vacations, fishing and camping trips, family reunions and summers at Williams Lake. Helen's children and grandchildren came to believe that she had invented recycling and yard sales because she began saving cans and plastics, and hosting yard sales since the early 1970s.
While raising their five children, Helen also worked as a partsman and accountant at Smitty's Auto Repair, Smitty's International, Smitty's Sales and Service, and Smitty's Chrysler, Plymouth and Toyota. After selling the car dealership, Eli bought a ranch southeast of Salmon in 1975. When Helen wasn't assisting Eli at the ranch, she was working at Gambles Store.
After Eli passed away in 1986, Helen tried some new things. Besides traveling to visit family members, she joined the Laureate Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and was baptized into the Presbyterian Church. She became a serious collector of antiques and spent many weekends visiting yard sales, while holding many of her own.
She loved reading a good mystery or autobiography, traveling, collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia, bowling, volunteering and enjoying card club, rodeos and horse races.
Helen always had a soft spot for animals, and there were always pets in the house, from the family dog, Useless, to her little Maltese, Buddy, and numerous other cats, birds and even turtles.
Her selfless devotion, values and strength of character will continue through the lives of her children, grandchildren and people with whom she came in contact.
She is survived by her sons, Arjay (Sharon), Jim (Kim) and Jerry (Nancy); daughters, Jayne and Judy (Lou); grandchildren, Jackson (Amy) Smith, Jeffrey (Andrea) Smith, Tiffany (Mike) Taylor, Stephanie (Mike) Mulligan, Eli Smith, Michelle Griffin, Jared Smith, Louis Griffin, Riley Smith, Jake Smith, Cady George and Jesse George; and great-grandchildren, Alexandra Smith, Sophia Smith, Julia Smith, Siena Smith, Courtney Smith, Lauren Smith, Charlie Smith, Andrew Smith, Caroline Taylor and Isabel Taylor.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011, at Salmon Elks Hall with burial in the Salmon Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones & Casey Funeral Home.
Family Tribute
Helen was born January 29, 1925 in Monida, Montana, to Andrew Jackson Bean and Annis Melinda Jane Burwell Bean, and spent her early childhood years at Clover Creek in Centennial Valley, Montana. It was there that Helen developed a lifelong love of horses. Her favorite childhood memories were listening to her father's stories as they rode trap lines and snagged fence poles for area ranchers.
Her sisters, Norma Montana Perry, born December 25, 1927, and Beverly Gale Gott Baker, born November 2, 1930, were also born in Centennial Valley. The family moved to Dillon, Montana, in 1936, and then to Salmon, Idaho, in 1938. Jack and Annis purchased the Four Star Garage with Eddie and Carl Papetti, changing the name to the Valley Chevrolet Co.
Three months after graduation from Salmon High School in 1942, Helen married Wallace Sherman Walchli. They were later divorced, and she married Eli Smith in Hamilton, Montana, on September 18, 1944.
Since most of the men went into the service during World War II, Helen took the opportunity to become the first female 'partsman' in Idaho. She also became a 'grease monkey' for Automotive Wholesalers and Paul King Ford. The first day of her new job, Helen was sent to the hardware store to get a 'left-handed' monkey wrench; and she did! As a result of that lesson in embarrassment, Helen told her children to use common sense and always have a sense of humor.
Helen and Eli reared five children, Jack Eli (Arjay), Nov. 1, 1946, James Ellis, April 9, 1952, Jayne Ellen, Nov. 23, 1953, Judith Eileen, March 6, 1955, and Jerrold Bean, Sept. 28, 1956. When Helen was pregnant with Jayne, Dr. Blackadar was convinced that the baby was going to be a boy. Eli, being the gambler he was, bet Dr. Blackadar the cost of delivering the baby that the baby was going to be a girl. When Jayne was born with two teeth, the bill that arrived from Dr. Blackadar was for 0 dollars and 0 cents.
Helen's organizational skills were outstanding, whether it came to supporting her children in sports, youth clubs, 4-H and Rancho Kids, or keeping her albums up to date with current and historical events. Eli and Helen always made time for summer vacations, fishing and camping trips, family reunions and summers at Williams Lake. Helen's children and grandchildren came to believe that she had invented recycling and yard sales because she began saving cans and plastics, and hosting yard sales since the early 1970s.
While raising their five children, Helen also worked as a partsman and accountant at Smitty's Auto Repair, Smitty's International, Smitty's Sales and Service, and Smitty's Chrysler, Plymouth and Toyota. After selling the car dealership, Eli bought a ranch southeast of Salmon in 1975. When Helen wasn't assisting Eli at the ranch, she was working at Gambles Store.
After Eli passed away in 1986, Helen tried some new things. Besides traveling to visit family members, she joined the Laureate Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and was baptized into the Presbyterian Church. She became a serious collector of antiques and spent many weekends visiting yard sales, while holding many of her own.
She loved reading a good mystery or autobiography, traveling, collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia, bowling, volunteering and enjoying card club, rodeos and horse races.
Helen always had a soft spot for animals, and there were always pets in the house, from the family dog, Useless, to her little Maltese, Buddy, and numerous other cats, birds and even turtles.
Her selfless devotion, values and strength of character will continue through the lives of her children, grandchildren and people with whom she came in contact.
She is survived by her sons, Arjay (Sharon), Jim (Kim) and Jerry (Nancy); daughters, Jayne and Judy (Lou); grandchildren, Jackson (Amy) Smith, Jeffrey (Andrea) Smith, Tiffany (Mike) Taylor, Stephanie (Mike) Mulligan, Eli Smith, Michelle Griffin, Jared Smith, Louis Griffin, Riley Smith, Jake Smith, Cady George and Jesse George; and great-grandchildren, Alexandra Smith, Sophia Smith, Julia Smith, Siena Smith, Courtney Smith, Lauren Smith, Charlie Smith, Andrew Smith, Caroline Taylor and Isabel Taylor.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011, at Salmon Elks Hall with burial in the Salmon Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones & Casey Funeral Home.
Family Tribute
Helen Grace Bean Smith, 85, passed away at her home in Salmon on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.
Helen was born January 29, 1925 in Monida, Montana, to Andrew Jackson Bean and Annis Melinda Jane Burwell Bean, and spent her early childhood years at Clover Creek in Centennial Valley, Montana. It was there that Helen developed a lifelong love of horses. Her favorite childhood memories were listening to her father's stories as they rode trap lines and snagged fence poles for area ranchers.
Her sisters, Norma Montana Perry, born December 25, 1927, and Beverly Gale Gott Baker, born November 2, 1930, were also born in Centennial Valley. The family moved to Dillon, Montana, in 1936, and then to Salmon, Idaho, in 1938. Jack and Annis purchased the Four Star Garage with Eddie and Carl Papetti, changing the name to the Valley Chevrolet Co.
Three months after graduation from Salmon High School in 1942, Helen married Wallace Sherman Walchli. They were later divorced, and she married Eli Smith in Hamilton, Montana, on September 18, 1944.
Since most of the men went into the service during World War II, Helen took the opportunity to become the first female 'partsman' in Idaho. She also became a 'grease monkey' for Automotive Wholesalers and Paul King Ford. The first day of her new job, Helen was sent to the hardware store to get a 'left-handed' monkey wrench; and she did! As a result of that lesson in embarrassment, Helen told her children to use common sense and always have a sense of humor.
Helen and Eli reared five children, Jack Eli (Arjay), Nov. 1, 1946, James Ellis, April 9, 1952, Jayne Ellen, Nov. 23, 1953, Judith Eileen, March 6, 1955, and Jerrold Bean, Sept. 28, 1956. When Helen was pregnant with Jayne, Dr. Blackadar was convinced that the baby was going to be a boy. Eli, being the gambler he was, bet Dr. Blackadar the cost of delivering the baby that the baby was going to be a girl. When Jayne was born with two teeth, the bill that arrived from Dr. Blackadar was for 0 dollars and 0 cents.
Helen's organizational skills were outstanding, whether it came to supporting her children in sports, youth clubs, 4-H and Rancho Kids, or keeping her albums up to date with current and historical events. Eli and Helen always made time for summer vacations, fishing and camping trips, family reunions and summers at Williams Lake. Helen's children and grandchildren came to believe that she had invented recycling and yard sales because she began saving cans and plastics, and hosting yard sales since the early 1970s.
While raising their five children, Helen also worked as a partsman and accountant at Smitty's Auto Repair, Smitty's International, Smitty's Sales and Service, and Smitty's Chrysler, Plymouth and Toyota. After selling the car dealership, Eli bought a ranch southeast of Salmon in 1975. When Helen wasn't assisting Eli at the ranch, she was working at Gambles Store.
After Eli passed away in 1986, Helen tried some new things. Besides traveling to visit family members, she joined the Laureate Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and was baptized into the Presbyterian Church. She became a serious collector of antiques and spent many weekends visiting yard sales, while holding many of her own.
She loved reading a good mystery or autobiography, traveling, collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia, bowling, volunteering and enjoying card club, rodeos and horse races.
Helen always had a soft spot for animals, and there were always pets in the house, from the family dog, Useless, to her little Maltese, Buddy, and numerous other cats, birds and even turtles.
Her selfless devotion, values and strength of character will continue through the lives of her children, grandchildren and people with whom she came in contact.
She is survived by her sons, Arjay (Sharon), Jim (Kim) and Jerry (Nancy); daughters, Jayne and Judy (Lou); grandchildren, Jackson (Amy) Smith, Jeffrey (Andrea) Smith, Tiffany (Mike) Taylor, Stephanie (Mike) Mulligan, Eli Smith, Michelle Griffin, Jared Smith, Louis Griffin, Riley Smith, Jake Smith, Cady George and Jesse George; and great-grandchildren, Alexandra Smith, Sophia Smith, Julia Smith, Siena Smith, Courtney Smith, Lauren Smith, Charlie Smith, Andrew Smith, Caroline Taylor and Isabel Taylor.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011, at Salmon Elks Hall with burial in the Salmon Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones & Casey Funeral Home.
Family Tribute
Helen was born January 29, 1925 in Monida, Montana, to Andrew Jackson Bean and Annis Melinda Jane Burwell Bean, and spent her early childhood years at Clover Creek in Centennial Valley, Montana. It was there that Helen developed a lifelong love of horses. Her favorite childhood memories were listening to her father's stories as they rode trap lines and snagged fence poles for area ranchers.
Her sisters, Norma Montana Perry, born December 25, 1927, and Beverly Gale Gott Baker, born November 2, 1930, were also born in Centennial Valley. The family moved to Dillon, Montana, in 1936, and then to Salmon, Idaho, in 1938. Jack and Annis purchased the Four Star Garage with Eddie and Carl Papetti, changing the name to the Valley Chevrolet Co.
Three months after graduation from Salmon High School in 1942, Helen married Wallace Sherman Walchli. They were later divorced, and she married Eli Smith in Hamilton, Montana, on September 18, 1944.
Since most of the men went into the service during World War II, Helen took the opportunity to become the first female 'partsman' in Idaho. She also became a 'grease monkey' for Automotive Wholesalers and Paul King Ford. The first day of her new job, Helen was sent to the hardware store to get a 'left-handed' monkey wrench; and she did! As a result of that lesson in embarrassment, Helen told her children to use common sense and always have a sense of humor.
Helen and Eli reared five children, Jack Eli (Arjay), Nov. 1, 1946, James Ellis, April 9, 1952, Jayne Ellen, Nov. 23, 1953, Judith Eileen, March 6, 1955, and Jerrold Bean, Sept. 28, 1956. When Helen was pregnant with Jayne, Dr. Blackadar was convinced that the baby was going to be a boy. Eli, being the gambler he was, bet Dr. Blackadar the cost of delivering the baby that the baby was going to be a girl. When Jayne was born with two teeth, the bill that arrived from Dr. Blackadar was for 0 dollars and 0 cents.
Helen's organizational skills were outstanding, whether it came to supporting her children in sports, youth clubs, 4-H and Rancho Kids, or keeping her albums up to date with current and historical events. Eli and Helen always made time for summer vacations, fishing and camping trips, family reunions and summers at Williams Lake. Helen's children and grandchildren came to believe that she had invented recycling and yard sales because she began saving cans and plastics, and hosting yard sales since the early 1970s.
While raising their five children, Helen also worked as a partsman and accountant at Smitty's Auto Repair, Smitty's International, Smitty's Sales and Service, and Smitty's Chrysler, Plymouth and Toyota. After selling the car dealership, Eli bought a ranch southeast of Salmon in 1975. When Helen wasn't assisting Eli at the ranch, she was working at Gambles Store.
After Eli passed away in 1986, Helen tried some new things. Besides traveling to visit family members, she joined the Laureate Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and was baptized into the Presbyterian Church. She became a serious collector of antiques and spent many weekends visiting yard sales, while holding many of her own.
She loved reading a good mystery or autobiography, traveling, collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia, bowling, volunteering and enjoying card club, rodeos and horse races.
Helen always had a soft spot for animals, and there were always pets in the house, from the family dog, Useless, to her little Maltese, Buddy, and numerous other cats, birds and even turtles.
Her selfless devotion, values and strength of character will continue through the lives of her children, grandchildren and people with whom she came in contact.
She is survived by her sons, Arjay (Sharon), Jim (Kim) and Jerry (Nancy); daughters, Jayne and Judy (Lou); grandchildren, Jackson (Amy) Smith, Jeffrey (Andrea) Smith, Tiffany (Mike) Taylor, Stephanie (Mike) Mulligan, Eli Smith, Michelle Griffin, Jared Smith, Louis Griffin, Riley Smith, Jake Smith, Cady George and Jesse George; and great-grandchildren, Alexandra Smith, Sophia Smith, Julia Smith, Siena Smith, Courtney Smith, Lauren Smith, Charlie Smith, Andrew Smith, Caroline Taylor and Isabel Taylor.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011, at Salmon Elks Hall with burial in the Salmon Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones & Casey Funeral Home.
Family Tribute
Bio by: Barb
Gravesite Details
No death date at this time - 2010
Family Members
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