Helen M. Bechtelheimer-Helton

Helen M. Bechtelheimer-Helton

Helen M. Bechtelheimer-Helton died February 6, 2013, 7 months short of her 100th birthday. Her death brought a blessed end to her struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Helen was born September 18, 1913 in Laketon, Indiana into the home of A.J. (Pard) and Opel Butler. She married Harold Bechtelheimer in 1931 in Laketon, Indiana. They had two children: Mickey, and Janet. The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1941. Preceding her in death, husband Harold died in 1949 being the first Colorado State Patrolman slain in the line of duty. As a single mother, Helen raised her children and worked nearly 30 years, until her retirement, as a dispatcher for the State Patrol. On June 6, 1970, Helen married Kerval Helton. They were lifetime members of the local Eagles Fraternal Organization. Kerval died in 2003. Helen was also a longtime member and officer of Beta Sigma Phi.

Surviving Helen are: son, Mickey (wife Elaine); and daughter, Janet Cameron (husband Jay, deceased); grandchildren: John and Sue Bechtelheimer, Denise Almazar, Dan Cameron, Stan and Jeff Brooks, Sharon Bradley; and stepchildren: Audrey Wreath and Wendell Helton. She is also survived by her sister, Lela Ramage of Georgia; and 18 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 and will be followed by a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. all at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Private burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery.