Helen C. Marsh

CORVALLIS - Helen Coleman Marsh, 96, of Corvallis entered into rest December 25, 2009 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. She was born June 21, 1913 in Belt the daughter of E.W. and Lillian (Anderson) Coleman.

Helen first lived on a homestead in the Tiger Butte area near Belt, and then moved into town where she went to school. She was enrolled in a special teacher-preparation course in high school that allowed her to teach immediately upon graduation. She taught in several one-room country schools around Belt, saving money to continue her education at Western Montana College in Dillon, where she eventually earned a bachelor's degree in education.

While going to school she met and married Howard Marsh. They were together nearly 68 years. The couple moved to Corvallis in 1939 and fell in love with the valley and all it had to offer - hiking, picnicking, playing in the water and just enjoying the outdoors. Helen would be one of the first to kick off her shoes and wade right in to a cold mountain stream with a grandchild on each hand. Her grandchildren all have special memories of time with Grandma and Grandpa in the mountains. She just liked being outside in the fresh air. As she got older, she spent a lot of time sitting outside soaking up the warmth of the sun.

After receiving her degree from Western, Helen taught school for almost 40 years, first in one-room schools in Milligan, out of Great Falls, and the Fish Trap School along the Big Hole River. When her daughters were old enough to go to school she taught elementary school in Corvallis. In 1963, she moved to a teaching position in Hamilton, where she established the first special education program in the school district at the old Jefferson School. She later taught at Washington and Grantsdale schools. She retired from teaching in 1977, making it possible for her and Howard to travel and visit their children and grandchildren. She enjoyed learning and seeing new things, but especially enjoyed visiting family.

She worked side by side with Howard in a bee business for many years. She spent lots of warm days under a bee veil and seldom complained.

She was an avid reader and loved crossword puzzles, making them a family endeavor in later life when she did them with her granddaughter. Interestingly the first crossword puzzle was published on December 21, 1913, exactly six months after her birth.

Helen was a long-time member of the Corvallis United Methodist Church, and held many offices in United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Corvallis Women's Club, Charity Rebekah Lodge No. 11 in Hamilton, and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, in Corvallis and Victor.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Howard; parents Elbert and Lillian Coleman; sisters Dorothy Spring, Grace Dawson and Viola Coleman; and brothers Edwin Coleman, Ray Coleman and Ralph Coleman.

Helen is survived by daughters Carol Jo Semple, Janet Bay (Howard), and Marilyn Marsh all of Corvallis; grandchildren Julie Semple of Austin, Texas, Craig Bay of Corvallis, Bob Semple of Hamilton, Diana Semple Ali (Steve) of Tacoma, Wash., Jana Bay Cerdena of Corvallis, Karen Semple of Des Moines, Wash., Kevin Bay of Corvallis, Laurie Semple Luedecke (Dan) of Corvallis, Brad Semple (Jenell) of Corvallis; and 11 much-loved great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers Laverle Coleman (Helen) of Richland, Wash., and Bob Coleman (Vi) of Helena, and many nieces and nephews.

She was dearly loved by her family and will be greatly missed. She has been a role model and inspiration to us all. We are blessed to have had her in our lives.