"My password--get by by."

 (Information taken from 50th Alumni Booklet May 1998.  Please send an e-mail to update information at any time.)

Spouse:  Harlan (deceased)

Children:  Denise Renae Dingee (husband, Don)

Grandchildren:  Jillian Sara Dingee

     My occupation for the last seven plus years has been getting myself to Dialysis.  I call it my job.  I go to "work" 3 days a week, on the machine 2 hours and 45 minutes.  That's my job!  I take short trips, when I can.  Of course my favorite trip is to Chandler, AR where my kids are.

      I took up oil painting and did that for years.   My walls are full and my daughter has all my favorites.  I've put my paints in the closet, as my fingers are so stiff, but someday I'll get back into it again.  My granddaughter is such an artist.  I promised I would teach her how to mix colors.  She knows all the rest.

      All the things I used to do, I have to hire someone to come in and do...windows, trim trees, paint wall, etc.  Just takes the fun out of life.  Used to have to work.  In fact I worked at Parco for 37 1/2 years  Was a sad day when I was forced to retire at age 55, thanks to Scleroderma.  I worked as long as I could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 17, 1930 - April 3, 1999

Helen Ione Eriksen of Alta Loma, CA, died April 3, 1999, in Ontario, CA, at the age of 68.

She was born near Martin, Bennett County, SD, on September 17, 1930, the sixth of nine children born to Bernard and Ethel penny.  She graduated from Decatur High school in 1948.

A resident of Alta Loma since 1968, she was employed at Parco in Ontario for 37 years as an inside sales representative prior to retirement.

Preceding her in death were here husband, Harlan Eriksen; parents; brothers, Elwin and Forrest Penny of Decatur; and sister, Norma Banner of Dallas, TX.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Don Dingee and Granddaughter, Jillian of Chandler, AZ; five sisters, Wilma Maddox of Long Beach, CA, Lois Eriksen of Upland, CA, Bonnie Banner of Red Oak, TX, Elaine Smith of Lyons, and Jeanine Penny of Rossville, KS.

A service was held May 5 at Alta Loma with burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Covina Hills, CA.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Scleroderma Foundation, 89 Newbury St., Suite 201, Danvers, MA 01923.