At the wonderous age of 102, Helen Sweezo passed away in the early morning hours of September 6, 2022.

Helen Ione Sweezo was born on April 27, 1920, in Webster, South Dakota to Ole and Florence Bagaus. Helen was the oldest of four children and the only daughter. Two of her brothers, Don and Owen, have passed. Her youngest brother, David Bagaus, lives in Sarasota, Florida with his wife Virginia.

Helen graduated high school in 1938. During WWII she worked in an arms plant manufacturing large caliber bullets that were sent to the battle fields. In 1946, Helen married Mason Wolke, gaining a son named Rolly. While married, Helen had Michael and Stephen Wolke. Along with raising the children and keeping a home, she worked as a bank teller at multiple Bank of America branches over the years. Helen and Mason divorced in 1967.

In 1972, Helen married Russell Sweezo. They traveled often and enjoyed their lives together. Helen lived many places in during her life, but always loved Humboldt County. Helen moved to Silvercrest around 2005, where she made many friends and operated the community library for the residents. She was an amazing pool player and enjoyed showing off her talent in the common room. She was a devout member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and loved her church family very much. She found so much joy singing in the choir, participating in the activities for holidays and attended church every Sunday as long as she possibly could.

For the last few years of her life she lived with her son Steve and wife Cindi in Eureka California until skilled nursing was required. Her son Michael lives in the Bay Area. She was blessed with one grandson, Jason Wolke, and gained a grandson Morgan Chapman (Kayla) and granddaughter Jaycie Chapman Shearer (Brian). She also gained four great-grandchildren — Tony, Hayden Aurora and Stella. Helen will be missed by all the people she touched in life. Anyone that knew her knows she is happily in Heaven content in the Hands of the Lord.

Helene’s family must apologize for the lateness of this notification to the public.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Helen Sweezo’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.