Helen Trepanier

Helen Anne Trepanier, age 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 23, 2017. Helen was born on November 25, 1929, in North Dakota to Leo and Antoinette Trepanier. She spent her childhood in Minnesota and Michigan, moving to the Yakima Valley her senior year where she attended Davis High School. She started her career of bookkeeping at Young's Lumber. She soon met Theodore (Pitchie) Trepanier and fell in love with both him and farm living. They were married while he served in the Marine Corps, stationed in Southern California. They returned to the Yakima Valley and made their life in the Wenas Valley where they raised three sons. While there they commercially raised rabbits, calves and even had a functioning dairy for many years. During these years she also enjoyed her large yard of flower, trees, garden and swimming pool. She and Pitchie were square dancers with the Gate Swingers, enjoyed their lot on Lake CleElum and boating. Helen's love of cooking and baking took her into the world of restaurants, where she was known for homemade salads, pies, fresh bread and her delicious cinnamon rolls. In later years Helen worked at Riverview Manor. Always her passion continued to be cooking for her family and friends. Nothing made her happier than large dinners with family and friends. Her door was always open and there was always more room at the table. In addition, she loved spending time with her seven grandchildren. The grandchildren will tell of all the funny and rewarding times they had together. Pitchie and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends in February 2002. After 52 years of marriage she lost Pitchie in April of 2004. Several years later she started a close relationship with Frank Kezele which lasted until her death. Frank was there taking care of Helen right up to the end. Helen is survived by her three sons: their oldest Ted (Peggy) of Olympia and their two children, daughter Ellen of Olympia and, their son Tony of Seattle; second son Tracy (Marilyn) of Yakima and their three daughters: Brianne (Erik) Horbatko of Selah, Tiffany (Rodney) Lakey of Meridian ID and, Holly Trepanier of Helena MT; their youngest son Todd (Teresa) of Selah and their two children, daughter Tara (Tim) Smith of Nine Mile Falls and, son Trent (Sierra) Trepanier of Ridgecrest CA; ten great-grandchildren: Gwynneth Horbatko, Aurora Lakey, Bella Lakey, Christian Lakey, Dia Lakey, Emalyne Rairdan, Kayley Smith, Grady Smith, Adalin Trepanier, and Samantha Trepanier; her sister Cleo Collie of Selah; nieces: Cindy Kezele, Judy Sinclair, Julia Trepanier, Carolyn Paine, and Charlotte Hickman; nephews: Tom Trepanier, Gary Trepanier, Joe Trepanier, Dave Trepanier and Clyde Friend; and long time companion Frank Kezele. She was preceded in death by her husband Pitchie; her parents; her brother, Leo Trepanier and his wife, Mary; brother-in-law Ed "Babe" Trepanier; two sisters-in-law, Laura Holburn and her husband, Jim and, and Barbara Friend of Yakima; nephews, Brad Kezele and Jerry Trepanier, both of Yakima. Helen’s family would like to express their special thanks to Dr. George Garfein for years of dedicated health services and the staff at Chandler House for their care within this last year. We also thank the team at Cottage in the Meadow for their comfort and assistance to the family in the final days. Viewing will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 2600 Business Lane, Yakima, August 4th, from 10:00 am to noon. *Funeral time and location has changed, due to the weather, and will be at 12 noon Friday, August 4 in the Valley Hills Chapel immediately following the viewing. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Trepanier, please visit our flower store.