Helen C. Hengeveld, 89, died Oct. 3, 2010, in Eugene, Ore. At her request, her remains were cremated; there was no formal service, but family and friends plan a private memorial at a later date.

Helen Catherine Michelson was born in 1921 in Neenah, Wis., to Charles and Sophia (Fritzen) Michelson.

On June 29, 1940, she married Frank W. Hengeveld in Racine, Wis.

Except for nine years in Ohio, the couple lived in Blair for more than 50 years before moving to Eugene, Ore., in 2001 to be closer to family in the Northwest. While the family lived in Ohio, Mrs. Hengeveld was executive secretary to the president of Lake Erie College, and then was director of the Blair Housing Authority for a number of years. She enjoyed volunteering at the Dana College "Sights and Sounds of Christmas" and with the Blair Hospital Auxiliary.

She is remembered for her generosity of spirit, dedication and loyalty to family and friends, love of laughter, art, music, travel, and as a loving wife. She enjoyed making yeast breads and kept her family supplied with homemade goodies, was an excellent seamstress, loved parties and made everyone feel welcome in her home, and was right in the middle of the adventures of an active family.

Mrs. Hengeveld is survived by her children, Lonna and Larry Meston of Eugene, Pamela and Tom Wetzel of Gresham, Ore., Susanne and Richard Miller of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Steven and Donna Hengeveld of Wellington, New Zealand; four beloved grandchildren, Ian, Colin, Ryan, and Zoe; three great-grandsons, Quinn, Sebastian and Alexandre; and a brother, Norris Michelson (Pearl Hintze) of Mesa, Ariz.; many cherished family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, in 2006; and a sister, Carolyn Beck.