Helen LaVon Weech

Helen LaVon (Stevens) Weech of American Falls, Idaho passed away at the Portneuf Medical Center, in Pocatello, Idaho, on Thursday, November 15, 2012, surrounded by her loved ones.  She was born October 8, 1926, in Jerome, Jerome County, Idaho,  the 11^th of 14 children, to parents, Hans Arnold and Rachel Johanna (Pearson) Stevens.

She was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Helen married Matthew Samuel Weech, 8 Feb 1945, in Nipoma, San Louis Obispo County, California.  In 1999, their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  One son and three daughters were born to this marriage: Gary, Linda, Bonnie, & Peggy.  After marriage, the family lived in Hagerman, Idaho, until 1950, when the family moved to various towns in Oregon, Washington, & California, before moving to American Falls, in 1961, where she has resided since.

Helen was well-known by family and friends for her beautiful quilting; She was an excellent seamstress, and enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, raising flowers, reading, crocheting, & doll collecting. Helen liked camping trips with her family and took an interest in collecting natural plant materials, and making things from those materials.

Helen loved to serve others, and served, diligently, as a visiting teacher, for many years.  Other church callings included Sunday school teacher, Relief Society teacher & homemaking & quilt director, among others.  She was a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

She was, always, sharing baked or home-canned goods with her family, friends, and neighbors, but her greatest love was her family.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Helen is survived by her husband of 67 years, Matthew of American Falls; three daughters, Linda Jeruss, of Sacramento, California, Bonnie (Kay) Stanger, of American Falls, and Peggy Jones, of Boise, Idaho; eleven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren,  twenty-nine great grandchildren, and three step-great grandchildren; three sisters, Sibyl Stevens and Beth Pratt, both of Kennewick, Washington, and Patty (Joe) Barker, of Boise, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, four sisters and six brothers, one grandson, and one granddaughter.

Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, November 21, at 11 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, American Falls Third & Fourth Ward Building, 650 Pocatello Avenue, with Bishop Dennis Cook officiating.  A viewing was held Tuesday evening, from 6 - 8 p.m. , at Davis-Rose Mortuary, 170 Idaho Street, and prior to services today, at 10 a.m., at the church.   Burial will be in Falls View Cemetery, following the service.  Funeral arrangements were by Davis-Rose Mortuary, of American Falls.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.davisrosemortuary.com