Helen Louise Holm Jachens, cherished wife, loyal friend and devoted godmother, passed on in her sleep at the Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on Friday, June 5, 2009 at the age of 96. She began a decline in her health after surgery in October, 2008.

On the day of her death, her family and close friends remembered her as spunky, good humored, kind, intelligent, strong-willed, unique, curious and a woman who lived according to her strong Christian faith in generosity and loving those who crossed her life unconditionally.

Helen was born April 19, 1913 in Queens, New York Regina (Jenny) Holm and Gustav R. Holm who preceded her in death.

She graduated from business college. Helen met Richard (Dick) H. Jachens (who preceded her in death May 27, 1987) of Brooklyn, New York at the Y where they both attended weekly dances. After a courtship they married April 19, 1940.

Helen worked as a secretary (in today's vernacular she would have been an executive assistant) with the GBSA Gulf dredging company, in New York City. She stayed on for several years after the company closed to close out their financial records and retired to Dunedin, Florida at 65. She moved to Arkansas April 19, 2001.

Surviving her are cousin Herbert Wortmann of West Caldwell, New Jersey, niece and goddaughter Carol A. Halvorson-Kegerize of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, nephew Douglas H. Jackens of Greenwich, Connecticut, step-sister Roz Holm of California.

A memorial service is being held at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church at 12:30pm on Sunday, July 5, 2009. Rev Bob and Kay Burton will officiate. Interment is at Curlew Hills, Memorial Gardens, Dunedin, Florida