Obituary of Helen Lemenda Loucks, 102
Helen Lemenda Loucks.
– Helen Lemenda Loucks passed away quietly on September 13, 2025, after a long illness. She was 102 years old. She spent her last four years at Good Samaritan-Woodland where she was loved and well cared for by the staff. Helen spent the last hours of her life with her granddaughter, Joanna, who sat with her, talked to her, comforted her and said the Lord’s Prayer to her as she passed away.
Helen was born in Canada to Henry and Verna (Matney) McMartin on September 6, 1923, in Mannville, Alberta. Helen met the love of her life, Edwin Stair Loucks, when she was 17 years old and they married on July 19, 1941. Eddie was in the Canadian Air Force and stationed in Saskatchewan. Their first child, Bryan, was born there. When Eddie was discharged, they settled in the small town of Mayerthorpe in northern Alberta, where Sharon was born. In 1954, Eddie moved a family of four to California where the weather was better for Helen’s health. This is where the last of her three children, Dennis, was born, and she and Eddie became U.S. citizens.
Helen was a homemaker until Dennis turned three. Jobs were plentiful and she was hired by Hewlett-Packard in Palo Alto, CA, where she worked for 15 years. In later years, she and Eddie moved to Clear Lake in Northern California to retire. They had an active social life, and Helen became quite a good golfer and earned many trophies. She also became an accomplished artist in watercolor and oils. When Eddie passed away in 1991, Helen took a grievance class and then volunteered as a Grievance Counselor for several years. She remarried again but was divorced after suffering a stroke. Helen moved to Paso Robles, California, to be closer to her sons and lived in assisted living for a short period of time until it became clear she was unable to care for herself.
Fortunately, Helen’s daughter lived in Minnesota where seniors were able to receive excellent long-term medical care at a lesser cost. This was very fortuitous for Helen. She was able to live in her own space at Good Samaritan-Woodland and was provided with the best of care. She was also able to spend time with her daughter and son, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren, which she enjoyed.
Helen is survived by three children: Bryan Edwin of Baxter, MN, Sharon Atkins of Baxter, MN, Dennis Ray (Sally) of Castle Rock, CO. Three grandchildren: Joanna Lee Collins (Shane) of Brainerd, MN, Brandon Russell Loucks (Katie) of Frederick, CO, and Alexandra Renee Mims (Nate) of Paso Robles, CA. Five great-grandchildren: Bridget Lee Collins, Henry Ray Collins; Morgan Renee Mims and Klara Jane Mims; and Conway Russell Loucks.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm, in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brainerd.
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