Helen Stephens

Helen Stephens

February 19, 1915 ~ January 26, 2016

Helen Knowles Stephens returned to her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.  She had met all her life goals and was ready to be reunited with her husband Marcus.  She was born on February 19, 1915 in Bannock County Idaho to Clarence William Knowles and Isabell Wyler, the third of eight children.

Helen graduated from Weber High School in 1934.  She met her future husband, Marcus R. Stephens, at the White City Ballroom and they were married on September 21, 1938 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  They had 64 wonderful years together until Mark passed away in July 2002.  Together they had four children.

Helen and Mark together with his brother Wayne built the Mt Ogden Drive-In and the Big Burger Ranch Restaurant in Ogden.  The drive-in was sold to make room for a Kmart and they built the North Star, a twin screen drive-in in Pleasant View, and the Movie Theater in the Hotel Ben Lomond.  In 1971 after many years of hard work, they sold the theaters, and retired.

Helen was a faithful and dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served faithfully throughout her lifetime.  She spent many years being the Primary chorister and loved the children.

Helen’s hobbies included participating in a sewing club that lasted for 50 years.  She has enjoyed music her entire life and sang in the Symphonic Choir at Weber State.  She loved to decorate, model, and was, in her own words, “born to shop”, making her the best dressed senior citizen ever.  The past five years she lived at the Harrison Regent in Ogden where she made many new friends.  The final two weeks of her life were spent at home surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Helen is survived by her children, Dennis (Barbara) Stephens, Dale (Sharon) Stephens, Susan Stephens Lindquist, and Richard (Tami) Stephens.  She has been blessed with 19 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren, all who affectionately refer to her as the “butterfly grandma”.  She is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Melchin, and her brother, Billy Knowles.

In her century of living, she touched many lives and brought joy and happiness to all who have known her.

We will celebrate her life with a funeral service on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

A special thank you is extended to Envision Hospice for their loving care and service.