Helen Hartman, age 83, died suddenly at Island Hospital Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013.

She was born March 20, 1930 in El Cerrito, Calif. to Fred Noble Lease and Mary Lillian Schonhard Lease.

Helen was raised in Richmond, Calif. where she graduated from high school. On July 3, 1954, she married Richard Dean Hartman in Hernando, Miss.

Dick was a career Navy man. Helen and the family followed Dick to his various duty stations.

The U.S. Navy took the family to Kodiak, Alaska, Tennessee, Florida, California and Whidbey Island. Oak Harbor became home in 1960.

When her children were older, Helen attended Skagit Valley College where she obtained her degree and certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Helen worked as an LPN for Island Hospital, Naval Hospital Oak Harbor and finally Whidbey Island Manor in Oak Harbor.

Helen was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America.

She also was a member of the Oak Harbor Emblem Club #450 for nearly 30 years. Helen was a faithful volunteer for St. Augustine Catholic Church Agape dinner for the homeless.

Following retirement, Dick and Helen traveled the U.S. for two years and then began spending their winters in Arizona.

Mesa was home for five years and then Yuma for the next 10.

Helen is survived by five children: Penelope (Eric) Geisler, Teresa (Tom) Schmalz, George (Vicki) Hartman, Cynthia (Ralph) Sandlin and Joseph (Lilas) Hartman. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren: Neil Geisler, Karl Geisler (Josi Barinaga), Joseph and Daniel Schmalz, Lara and Joel Sisel, Kaci Sisel (Ronald Heidstra), Nicolas Hartman and Ryan (Herlinda) Shawaluk, and Emma, Luke, and Lucy Hartman, and three great-grandchildren; Isabella, Ryan, and Jeremiah Shawaluk.

Preceding her in death were one sister Mary Edith Baumann and brothers Thomas Lease and Frederick Lease.

Funeral Mass for Helen was celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Rev. Paul Pluth, JCL, Celebrant.

Rites of Committal were held at Maple Leaf Cemetery with a reception for family and friends following at Wallin Funeral Home. Vigil Service was held 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at St. Augustine.

In lieu of flowers, you can remember Helen by making a donation to the Agape Dinner Fund C/O St. Augustine Catholic Church. Helen truly loved volunteering at the Monday night dinners.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and offer condolences on their website at www.wallinfuneralhome.com