Helen Louise (Van Winkle) Hester (1938 - 2020)

Born 2 May 1938 in Rogers, New Mexico, United States

Biography

OBITUARY: On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, our beloved wife, mother, nanny, sister, and friend passed from this life to her Heavenly home. Helen was born on May 2, 1938, to Pike and Sybil Van Winkle in Rogers, NM. She was the 7th of 14 children. While many stories have been told about her younger years and the dynamics of her family, one thing is for certain, they all loved one another (for the most part). Helen met the love of her life, E.V. “Pete” Hester while working as a carhop in Portales, NM at Mac’s Drive-In. From there, their 65-year journey together began. Although Pete’s job took them to numerous places, they chose to raise their children, Kim, Bob, Jeff, Phyllis, and Eric in Carlsbad, NM. While raising 5 children occupied the majority of her time, Helen also loved her church family at First Baptist Church in Carlsbad, often played Canasta, and was actively involved in the First Baptist 42 (Domino’s) group, which is still being played today. Although swearing to never live in the big city, Helen, with Pete, relocated to the Albuquerque area in 1990. Quickly discovering that the big city life wasn’t as difficult or crazy as she had believed, she became active in many different groups including her church, her group of friends that celebrated birthdays often (lovingly referred to as “The Cult”) and a number of others. The light of her life was her children, but that light grew even brighter with the arrival of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their Nanny loved to spoil, tease, and dote on them whenever possible. One of the ways Helen showered her family with love was cooking delicious southern food, and a relative has recently mentioned that her salsa was the best he had ever tasted. She instilled a love of games (and a competitive nature) in those that had an opportunity to play with her. Helen’s laughter, strength, class, resourcefulness, vibrant personality, and faith in God will be what those who had the pleasure of meeting her will miss most. Helen was survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Pete; her children, Kim (Lyndon) Denton of Tucson, Bob (Pam) Hester of Carlsbad, Jeff (Cindy) Hester of Albuquerque, Eric (Nichole) Hester of Madison, WI; her grand and great-grandchildren, Lindsay (David) Schlotterbeck and baby Nolan (due in November), Karrah (Joseph) Hester-Selders, Zach (Angela) Trower and children, Logan, Harper and Gabby, Dylan (Julianna) and baby Bo (due in January), and Joshua (Aubrie) and children, Savannah, Caleb, and Tobyn. Helen was preceded in death by her daughter, Phyllis, a number of siblings, and friends. Due to the ongoing pandemic the family has held a private memorial service remembering Helen’s life and contribution to the world. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Sources

• French Funerals and Cremations, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States [1] accessed 15 October 2020