Helen Marie Ausema

My first memory of Helen is as a gracious, elegant, and beautiful young lady; she was in her late teens at that time. In more recent years, we kept in touch by e-mail, and her sweet kindness, her love for her family, and her tender heart were always evident. Will see you 'on the other side', Helen -- and meanwhile will take comfort knowing you are totally happy, wrapped in God's love. May He surround Roger, Deb, Alison, Molly, Mary, and John Tom with His grace, His peace, and His love.

- Cousin Debbie

Helen and Roger he came special friends to Tom and me when they lived in Everett Washington. Helen will be remembered in our church, first Christian reformed Church of Everett, as the lady in the wheelchair with the hugs and the big smile. The children adored her. We knew she was often in a lot of pain, but she never let it show. Helen's love for Jesus was evident in all she did. She delighted in having her granddaughters near her. Her family was always close to her heart and in her prayers. Her friendship is missed, but I know she is in that great cloud of witnesses that Hebrews 12:1 talks about. I know she is there with Tom and all who love Jesus. And now you can truly dance for joy in the Lord, Helen. We will see you soon!

- Hennie Slotemaker

Helen was my neighbor, and we became friends over the past couple of years. We connected and found we had similar backgrounds and interests. I so enjoyed our time together!! She was a true blessing 💜 So thankful her pain and discomfort are no more. And even more thankful that we will see each other once again someday in Heaven! My thoughts and prayers to Roger, Deb, Elisa, Alison and Molly especially!!!

- Kim Pelton

Helen was my 'BFF' for 43 years. I met her when I was fresh out of Nursing School, and I got my first job at Butterworth Hospital (working the 'graveyard shift') She knew how green I was but never made me feel stupid. Truth is, she taught me everything I needed to know during that first 6 months that they didn't cover in school. She taught me how to be a practical nurse. She took me under her wing that year and she never let me go (Thank God!) We became an unbeatable team! There were 33 beds on our unit, (most of the time full) an RN [Helen] and an LPN [me]! She'd be to work early, writing down all of the details we'd need to know. I'd coming flying in at the last second; she'd say "You got your skates? Cuz you're gonna need em!" I'd say "Yep", and off we'd go; the dynamic duo! Oh the books we could have written! Who would have thought we would still be telling those stories over 43 years later! We shared the best of times, and the worst, and everything in-between. Mostly, we just enriched each other's lives... Well, I know my life was so much better with her in it ♡ I could go on and on. Suffice it to say there is a huge hole in my heart tonight that only she could fill... The only thing that gives me comfort right now is knowing that she is right where she's wanted to be for some time now; she's curled up somewhere with Jesus ♡ Now that's peace that passes all understanding ♡ So, Farewell my beautiful BFF, Helen Marie, until we meet again!♡ I'll love you forever ♡ xoxox From your BFF, Vickie Lynn Kelch Roger, Deb, AJ & Molly, She loved you more than life!♡♡♡♡

- Vickie Kelch