Connie True

Connie True, beloved matriarch and center of our family, passed away peacefully January 23, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones, she was unable to wait any longer to reunite with lifelong partner, Bill True, who passed away a short 2 years ago. Connie Lynn Helms was born in Concordia, Kansas, a short drive from the family farm, July 2, 1947, to Elden and Elsie Helms. Mom was the second child of 7 total, 4 brothers, Keith, Dan, Jim, and Steve, and 2 sisters, Susan and Kathryn. Our mom, like our dad, was raised on her family farm in the small community of Linn, Kansas, where they attended Lutheran schools at a young age. She graduated from Linn High School in 1965. As the oldest daughter, Mom helped raise her siblings at home, and worked on the family farm while she attended school. Dad was the love of Mom’s life, and they married the same year she graduated high school, on December 18, 1965. Dad was already working for the Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Railroad in Topeka, Kansas at that time, and Topeka is where they made their first home. Jeffrey Allan True, their first son, was born July 2, 1968, Mom’s 21st birthday; and Patrick Alan True was born November 17, 1970. Topeka remained home until 1977, when opportunity presented itself in the Yakima Valley. Mom and Dad moved to Zillah Washington, and Mom worked with Grandma Elsie and family, owning and operating the A & W Restaurant in Toppenish. Mom helped manage the business on a day-to-day basis, while raising a family. She also worked other administrative jobs, including with New York Life Insurance, Montgomery Ward Catalog Store, and Inline Construction. Administrative work was not of much interest to Mom. Mom could no longer resist following her Green Thumb. Mom then founded and started the Country Rose Flower Shop in Zillah, where she loved creating flower arrangements and assisting customers with all things flower related. Once Dad and Mom relocated to Yakima, and following Pat’s graduation, Mom decided it was time to stay home and enjoy life, where she regularly entertained family and friends around the swimming pool, for parties and the holidays. No matter the occasion, Mom was always a gracious and welcoming host to all, and her incredible cooking will be missed by all who ever tasted it. Mom has been a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church since locating to Yakima in 1989. Mom’s faith in Jesus Christ has been extraordinary to witness during challenges over the years. Her faith always kept her regularly involved in church groups such as Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, bible study with their group of friends, and spending many years as Sunday Greeters. Mom was fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of her time with her family, watching all her grandkids’ activities growing up, and entertaining her grandkids every chance she had. Spending time with Dad and family was what Mom loved to do most in life. Her and Dad had a very extended group of friends who they loved to socialize with on a daily basis. Mom also liked to travel regularly, most often to Mexico, and she really enjoyed the annual Girls’ Weekend that was started several years ago. There could be no discussion of Mom without talking about how fantastic she was at absolutely everything she did, and she never let a blade of grass grow under her feet. She was an expert homemaker, fantastic chef, giving person, wonderful friend, and above all other activities, she was truly a Master Gardener. Anyone who visited Mom’s house recalls the perfectly manicured lush green plants inside, and the amazing colorful and beautiful flowers decorating the entire outside during the warm seasons. Mom was preceded in death by her loving Husband of 56 years, our dad Bill, her parents, Elden and Elsie, and her brother, Keith. Mom is survived by her oldest son, Jeff, granddaughters, Amber (David) DiMaggio, great-granddaughters, Emma and Presley, and Megan (Kayla) True; and youngest son, Patrick and his wife, Sonia, their children, Sarah (Austin) True, Patrick (Alexis) True, Reina Rodriguez, and Daisy, Divina, and Junior Mejia. Mom is also survived by her sisters, Susan and Kathryn, and by her brothers, Dan (Paula) Helms; Jim (Denise) Helms; and Steve Helms. Perhaps most importantly, Mom’s family wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to her loving caregivers over the last couple years, Veronica, Maggie, and Rosie. Visitation will be at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 2600 Business Lane, Yakima, Washington, 98901, on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 7809 Tieton Drive, Yakima, Washington, 98908, on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with graveside at Terrace Heights Cemetery, and final Reception thereafter at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. The family extends a personal invitation to all of Connie’s friends and family who wish to join us in celebrating and honoring her life. Arrangements have been entrusted by the True family to Valley Hills Funeral Home of Yakima, WA. Online condolences may be left at www.valleyhillsfh.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Connie True, please visit our flower store.