Our hearts are deeply saddened as we announce the passing of Helen Lorraine Thompson of Spruce View Alberta at the age of 75 years. Helen was born in Innisfail, Alberta on December 22, 1938. She is survived by her loving husband Ellwood, three sons Randy (Joanne), Kelly (Elaine) and Darcy, four grand children, Lindsay (Ashly), Liesel, Jessica and Tiffany and one great granddaughter Avrielle, one sister Alice (Norman) Christiansen, 3 sister- in-laws, Janice Hakl (Lloyd), Laurie Field, Leanne Percifield (Rick), and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by son Daren in 2005, her mother and father, Anna & Evelyn Pederson, two sisters Eunice Nielsen and Louise Gregersen, and mother and father- in-law Irma and Marvin Thompson. Helen and Ellwood met when Ellwood went from grade school at Heckla to high school in Dickson where Helen was. They did not know each other but it didn’t take long to get to know one another. They fell in love, Helen was 14 years old and Ellwood was 15 years old. They went together for five years and got married in 1958. Ellwood always makes the comment that he is the “luckiest” guy in the world because God gave him Helen, his babe, his princess to be his precious wife and best friend. Helen put up a very brave and courageous fight while battling the dreaded disease of ALS for over six and a half years. She was cared for in their home by Ellwood for this entire time and with help from Renee Batnag for the last two months. She passed away in Ellwood’s arms as he carried her to the bathroom early in the morning of July 5th. She was the greatest patient, never complained, everything was always perfect. She touched so many lives, always had a smile for everyone, along with a great attitude and personality. Everyone loved Helen. She was a very hard worker on the farm and for many, many years operated one of the two combines and did a marvellous job of running it, along with the normal house hold work and other jobs some farmers wives do. She was very talented with sewing and needle work and many homes have gifts of some of that work, along with the church that she was so actively involved in. She was involved in the Markerville Three Point WI for years. Because of her love of baking and her generosity, she became known as the cookie lady because she would stop in at various businesses with cookies for the workers. A little later in life she became very active in the Innisfail Golf Club. Here she improved her golf game and made many new friends. Then her and Ellwood joined into Masters Downhill Ski Racing. They attended many Masters Ski Racing camps and races and while this was going on they joined “Rut Runners Ski Club “ at Mt. Norquay and later also Alberta Masters Team at Mt. Nakiska. This changed their life to a degree because they loved the sport, travelled to various races to compete and most importantly met and made so many many more great friends. As time went on they got to compete in the Canadian Masters Championships many times and the occasional international race. The golfing and ski racing ended when Helen started doctoring, which eventually ended up with the diagnosis of ALS. Her friends at the golf club and the two ski clubs not only loved Helen but also her cookies. The funeral will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Dickson on Saturday July 12th at 2:30 p.m. Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church or the ALS Society of Alberta.