Helen Amie Allen

PAUL – Our mother, Helen Allen, a longtime resident of Paul, Idaho, passed away at Countryside Care and Rehab in Rupert on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013.

Mom was born Amie “Helen” Hardin in Pontotoc, Okla., on June 13, 1925, to Tuck Ralph and Floy Vaney Hopkins Hardin. Mom was the youngest of seven children. She grew up on her parents’ ranch in Daisy, Okla. At 17, mom joined her siblings in California, where she worked in a glass factory during World War II. Later she worked at a plastic factory in Cozad, Neb., that produced, among other items, the hula hoop.

In 1960, the family moved to Idaho and mom worked at J.R. Simplot, where she made many lifelong friends. She retired from Simplot in 1986. After retiring, mom pursued her passion for quilting. She found such joy in giving her quilts to family and friends. Mom loved antiques and traveled with her friend, Clea Guisasola to many out-of-the-way places. They were the start of the “picker” generation. When mom was 79, she had heart surgery at Portneuf Cardiology in Pocatello. Her relationship with her surgeon, Dr. Jacob DeLarosa, earned her a place in his book, “The Heart Surgery Game Plan,” as the “ornery old patient.”

Mom is survived by her children: Kitty Hupe of Rupert, Molly (Bob) Nelson of McCammon, Vickie (Steve) Bennett of Rupert, Jenny Bagby of Rupert, Tom (Pearl) Allen of Helena, Mont., and Art (Shirley) Allen of Washington, D.C.; as well as 11 grandchildren; and 31 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents; her siblings; a grandson, Jason Hupe; and a great-grandson, Billy.

A very special thank you to granddaughters, Wendy Cottom and Brandi Boston. Thank you to the staff of Countryside Care and Rehab, Minidoka Home Health and Hospice and Dr. A Lane Hansen.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at the Paul Cemetery, 575 W. 125 N. in Paul, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.